A wakeup call Long winded.

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bitshird

bitshird

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2007
Messages
10,236
Location
Adamsville, TN, USA.
Monday my DR. put me in a walker, I was bummed out feeling sorry for my self, kind of Teed off at the world in general.
My son throws the very best 4th of July parties ever, but me feeling like "No body likes me everybody hates me I think I'll go eat some worms" I wasn't going to go, I was going to mope about in self pity.
My wife and Daughter convinced me that I had to go, if for no other reason than to see my Grandson.
I didn't take the stupid walker because there was too much traffic and a lot of gravel in the driveway.
As I hobbled towards his house there was a fellow in a Motorized wheel chair/scooter, He was the first person I spoke to,so as I was talking to him someone brought me a lawn chair, he told me how he'd been injured and I'm sitting there next to him listening to him tell me how he had become a quadriplegic and yet his outlook on life was a lot better than mine, I stayed with him most of the evening, by the time we headed for home, I had a different outlook.
The upshot of this is that we have been negotiating with a dealer that does nearly every major Woodturning Symposium around, things had gotten stalled and just one more thing to sob about.
OK fast forward to Thursday I got a call just before PT and the guy gave me his credit card info.
Then last night I got an inquiry from a Pen supplier that had had requests about taking on my tools, he placed a very nice order.
It all goes back to the homily that " I felt terrible for I had no shoes, then I met a man that had no feet."
This fellow Gregg had a far better outlook on life than I did and some of it rubbed off, I feel most fortunate to have met this person. Sad thing is he's only 36 years old, and will never enjoy walking or standing or hugging his grand kids,
I now realize what a lucky Ba$tard I really am.
Sorry if I bored any body, but I almost feel like Tom Cruise when he was jumping on Ophra's couch.
 
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What a great story, thanks for sharing. It's amazing how everything lined up to create such a positive outcome. I hope everything to continues to look up for you!
 
G'day Ken,

Well, I felt quite "bummed" myself upon reading your post, first thing this morning...!:eek::frown:

All sounds all damn to familiar to me and, I have been on that "rocky" boat a couple of times already, in my short 54 years on Earth and regardless of how people can thing that feels, no one can even get close unless they have been there themselves however, is that though that he all need to have someone to show us, and there is, look around, there are a lot of people a lot worse then you...!

How do they manage...???, do what you did, go and ask them, talk to these people and listen what they have to say about, have felt down and useless in all senses of the word.

The very dramatic aspect of all these type of situations is that, we do it to ourselves as some sort of self punishment for something that we have little or no control of.

Is, and was your life that useless...??? look closer, look at your own family and the legacy you are so responsible for. Without you, they would exist nor would you have experienced some of the most rewarding aspects of this life.

From where I stand, I see no uselessness, I see someone that had just experienced one of life's experiences, that is capable to turn a person inside out and upside down in 3 seconds flat but really, keep looking around mate, you are indeed a lucky Ba$tard...!:wink::biggrin:

Be positive...!

Cheers
George
 
'Bout thirty years ago I was going down that same "woe is me" road. An unhappy divorced guy, almost living in a bar, doing a poor job at work. Lost the job but God stopped my drinking and smoking cold turkey! It took a while to get over the side effects but I picked my head up and took the narrow road and the wind has been at my back and the sun has been shining on me ever since! Sometimes you have to really get down low in order to get up and stand straight!:wink:
 
Well Ken I don't know about you but I feel my life is more enriched just knowing you and calling you friend. I call you other things too but that is when we are having fun and picking on Andrew. :biggrin:

Imagine how obscene we would have been if we had met up during the Stewarts shows in Louisville and Indy. Yes some days it is hard not to dwell on the downside but there is too much good stuff when you look at the entire picture. How many people on here can say that turning is easier and much more fun with their WoodChuck? Look at how many peoples turning experiences have been made more enjoyable because of you? That is a lot to try and wrap your mind around and makes you a success in my eyes.
 
Ken, wonderful story. I won't steal your thread but I had a very life changing experence yesterday so I really know great it can feel to be picked up when your at the lowest..
 
Hope you feel better and am glad you have a different outlook on life.

I've been there and the one thing that my old man told me to turn me around was that "Everybody has a sob story, some better some worse. Now shut up son, count your blessings and suck it up." He has a way With words.

I'm glad to call you my friend Ken. There are a lot of great folk here. .....
 
Great story Ken, glad you're feeling better!

I'm disabled also, why don't you come over and we can make each other feel better.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
 
Great story, glad your feeling better. Growing old is not for the faint hearted. I wake up each morning and smile into the mirror and if anyone smiles back it's going to be a great day! Hit a few speed bumps in the road of life myself in my 70 yrs. Everyone hits a few,
 
Been down that road before no fun. Usually I allow myself a few day to mope and feel sorry for myself then I look at my neighbor who is quad. abd then go time to get going again and off I go. I know in my case I will probably lose the use of my legs down the road, been told that by my Doctor so until I have to get the scooter I will carry on.
 
It's far from over dear friend, supplier.

Ken,

It's just a little turn in the road of life. Glad you were on the pity pot for just a very little while. Keep as active as possible and do all you can.

I've been meaning to drop you a line of thanks for such a wonderful product. I bought mine some time ago. Tried it once and wasn't sure.
Read and re read directions. Lined it up better on the tool rest and wow. It makes me a better and more efficient turner. That little side to side motion is a bit getting used to at first. Didn't last long. Now it's my favorite tool. Even built a very special vertical holder for it out of some ash I had in the shop.
To help me remember to keep it level. I placed a tiny level onto the shaft of the tool. Didn't need it for long. The placement and movement comes naturally in short order. Absolutely incredible tool.

Thank you, keep on keepin on,

Charlie
 
Ken, as you deal with what you are dealing with, be sure to think of HOW MANY HAPPY penturners are sitting behind their Woodchuck, and are smiling because of the tool you developed and produced. (I have 2, one with a roughing bit and one with a very sharp finishing bit mounted.) May some of our "Happy" can transmit back to you! I hope so.
Steve
 
Like my Mom always said. stop and smell the roses ..............just look around and you can always find someone who is worst off that you are.. keep the good outlook.......... Ken.
 
Ken, thanks for the memories of where I was some 50 years ago when I lost my left leg in an accident. Very lucky for me, I had a very bad example to work from, my Dad. He was injured in WWII and fell into the pity hole full force and never managed to climb out. I was 19 when my pity party started and quickly ended with the help of many people wanting to help without knowing how.

Your contribution to this site as well as to the turning industry has been outstanding. Every time my lathe turns on, you are there with me as your excellent tool starts to turn some nondescript piece of something into something at least usable if not art. What you produced in your shop and your willingness to offer help to any and all has been a wonderful source of inspiration. However, grabbing yourself by the shoelaces and getting up to move forward is even more inspiring. If you ever need to find someone worse off then yourself to get your gittyup moving, just observe some of our returning heros. We all love and care about you Ken. Thank you again.
Charles
 
Charles, I see them on the news and have always thought how terrible it was, but sitting talking with this fellow, threw a new light on things. I'm happy so many turners enjoy my tools.
Last year I sold 7 pens with POW decals on maple, I sent 25.00 a pen to the Fisher house in San Antonio.
I don't think I have the strength to actually meet and talk to some of our boys and girls that get torn up fighting for things, that the people they are fighting for don't appreciate.
I just know that meeting this fellow Greg really put MY LIFE in an entirely new perspective.
Thanks every one for the encouragement and nice things you've said, it's good to have friends like you guys.
 
Hey Ken,
Enjoyed your story and congrats on the good luck... (can't find one, but need a thumbs up smiley here.....)

I will have to say that I count my blessings every day... I'm a couple or so years older than you, but have been blessed with good health all my life... some minor things, but nothing to get me down... I still have all my hair, a good portion of my teeth, my eyesight is not too bad... I need reading glasses, but can actually see distance without them, and even though all the men in my family on both sides have either had or died of heart problems, mine seems to be still ticking along normally, I am beginning to find myself winded a little sooner than a few years back, I've only had one broken bone in my life - my big toe when I dropped a down hole gun on it -- so far I've managed to mash that particular toe twice to the point I lose the toenail.... but all in all, I'm a lucky, healthy guy.... and I read stories like yours and they make me feel good and to realize that I am a fortunate fellow.... again congrats on the new ventures and no matter what, keep smiling... it makes people think you know something they don't....:biggrin:
 
I kinda had one of those myself. After talking about what I was going through with my divorce and the odd lurch it's left me in until I'M sick and tired of hearing it, someone I hadn't had the chance to talk to busted loose with HIS divorce issues, which were the extreme version I fought tooth and nail to avoid. I took a minute to process it, and the lesson was thus: Time for me to shut up about it and get to moving forward again. It's weird how that seems to come from the most unexpected places.
 
Glad your head is held high Ken! Many years ago, I had to learn to walk again...took about 14 months. 16 years ago our daughter had cancer...we were told to make arrangements for her. We did, and she's gettiing married in November. I had major complications in cancer surgery last year but am back to running 3 miles a day, turning and restoring our Beemer. You can only see where you stand if you're looking down, hold your head high and you can see all that's in front of you!:biggrin:
 
Ken,
I am glad you have your head in a good place now. I am sure when times get tough all you have to do is post and your friends here will help prop you up. You have one of the best products around, I am almost ready for number three....keep your chin up!!!
 
It is always a pleasure to talk with you Ken,being disabled sometimes i have to look at church, our preacher came there 4 years old he has no legs, right arm is about as long as a long sleve and is just one big finger,left hand is a crooked arm with two fingers about 8 inches long,He went to University of Alabama, then Falkner, then preaching school,and got his masters,he teaches at the university also part time,when im down I know i could be in worse shape,he got married, and finally had a pretty baby boy who sits on his electric scooter all the time, We dont know why we are dealt our problems but just remember, some one else is in worst shape,I just got back from heart dr, see pain specialist every 3months for last 10 years, and will see him end of the month, hang in there,were alway around to talk,sometimes i dont feel like talking to anyone then sometimes it helps,God Bless
Rodney
 
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