Treadmill reading light mount
(Banner photo: Manger creche building created by dad along with mom's ceramic figurines.)
I do much of my reading on our treadmill. In support of my treadmill reading, I made a gizmo, a small shelf that is mounted on the cast-iron drain pipe next to the treadmill. I attached a reading light, drilled a pencil hole and have little room left over for a highlighter and ruler.
I come by gizmo-making from my dad. He was gizmo-making guy able retrofit any space for maximal purposefulness. It seems I am my father’s son.
My wife would agree a little too wholeheartedly. She would probably lead with how I am dogmatic like him, claiming certain “principles” as true and certain and ranting about ideals. Along with his bent toward creating practical household gizmos, like him I build and fix stuff, am systematic - a place for everything, and have a strong work ethic.
Dad went home to the Lord in December 2014. Thinking about him on the date he passed, I recalled a remark Jesus made about his Dad.
Me and dad, 2003.
My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? (John 14:2)
As he looked ahead to his death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus offered this assurance to his disciples and all, like us, who receive him as Lord. I’m going ahead to prepare your room, he promised, then I’ll come back for you and take you there as well.
Dad's toast grabber - a Christmas gift to each of his 10 children. (Year?)
As the oldest of my father’s ten children, I have lived in many, “many-roomed’ houses. Skilled with tools, design, building, painting and fixing, dad’s loving touch literally graced the rooms of all those houses.
Dad also crafted many beautiful objects that still grace our lives - a keepsake box and an initialed chest, a tool for plucking hot toast from a toaster, and a creche for our manger set. My basement workroom is modeled after his - the workbench, pegboards, even a radial arm like his.
Dad is home with the Lord and I look forward to seeing him again when the Lord calls me home. Perhaps we will reunite in one of those many rooms Jesus mentioned.
Wonder what kinds of cool gizmos dad will be working on when we do?