When I was a kid, I always marveled at my brother Jeff’s
toolbox. He had all kinds of tools and gadgets to do just the right job. Being
the model builder enthusiast that he was, he was always building or putting
something together. From time to time, I remember borrowing his tools to work
on some project or hobby, somewhat thrilled about the possibilities that expert tools brought.
One Christmas, Jeff bought me my very own toolbox and stocked it
with some basic supplies including pliers, a hammer, sandpaper, jeweler’s
screwdrivers and files, braces, etc. I was THRILLED, and realized that Jeff
probably was, too, since I would no longer need to borrow tools from him. Bless his heart.
Maybe that’s where my first love of gadgets came from. Today
I have just about every kitchen utensil you could think of, lots of sewing
gadgets, an assortment of presser feet and attachments for my sewing machine, and a decent amount of garden
tools. And, of course, I still have that original toolbox and have over the
years added various tools. While it might look like a meager
toolbox compared to the handymen of the world, it works well for me and has
come to my rescue many times.
My brother Jeff and his wife JoEllen were in town the other
week and stayed with me. While here, Jeff and I attempted to work on a
birdhouse rehab project that I started. We took a ride over to a hardware store
and picked up some supplies for the birdhouse. Jeff asked me if I owned a
router. I drew a blank — nope, didn’t think I had one. He picked one up for me,
and we used it with my electric drill once we got home.
I went to that old
toolbox and pulled out a few tools I thought we could use. I was thinking to
myself this tool box gift had now gone full circle, and here we were working on
a project together…probably some 35 years or more after that memorable
Christmas. While we didn’t complete the birdhouse, I definitely had more ideas
about how to finish it.
After Jeff and Jo returned home, I received a “thank you”
package in the mail. I thought it was going to be a box of jams and snacks.
Well, it was a box of more tools! I am now the proud owner of a jigsaw, a slick
set of drill bits, and a “high-tech” stud finder. Oh the ideas raced through my
mind again. I wonder what kind of fun trouble I can get into with a jigsaw? The
stud finder definitely will help me more easily hang my own wall art…but will it work on
my next blind date? Hmm…I guess the possibilities continue to be endless if you
have just the right tool…and a big brother who looks over your shoulder at just
the right time. Gracias.
