mark james
IAP Collection, Curator
RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS- A NOTE FROM "ANONYMOUS"
Earlier tonight I confirmed that my mailing to Timebandit had arrived and my role in a years long story was complete!
I am very uncomfortable with posting this, but some things occurred this week that need to be highlighted, and since I played a role I will make this posting and then fade back into the woodwork (pun intended!) where I prefer to be.
What I did for Timebandit is most certainly not about me! I am humbled by the response. My wife and I go to work each day, we are comfortable, but DO need to work. We are very aware of financial burdens that everyone has. And for some hard working folks, life throws them a curveball.
That being said, I was on the receiving end of someone who helped me many years ago. What I offered Timebandit WAS NOT MINE! It was meant to be passed on when the time was right.
Point ONE: Timebandit has no debt to ME. He in his own time and way needs to/and will pass on something that will aid another (need not be financial – volunteering, being a Big Brother, any number of opportunities). The favor is not to come back to me or it will end – I have already benefitted from the favor, Timebandit will benefit in his own way, then it should be passed on. When the time is right, he will know.
Point TWO: I never hesitated with my offer (and I would do it again), but something bothered me that I couldn't figure out. Last night around 2 AM It hit me. I had forgotten something that I had once known, but had slowly rejected.
Four crumbling disks in my neck, back injuries, and no ability to tolerate 16 different pain medications have resulted in daily pain. Standing at the lathe is actually one of my most comfortable positions for my neck! After 15 years I stopped asking for help and lived with the pain in the day, and after my lathe was turned off a stiff highball would get me to sleep.
Timebandit – It is you who was the key to my lesson, and for that I say "THANK YOU!" Next week I have scheduled the first visit to a respected Spine/Surgical Institute. While I may have been willing to offer help, I had long ago forgotten to ASK for help, and to ACCEPT it when offered. Your Dad was most certainly correct, but it takes guts to ask and accept help!
Through your honest sharing of your situation – you asked for nothing (and having made the mature decision to part with something very meaningful in your life), I now have the opportunity to again seek help myself.
I suspect I got the better end of this exchange, how ironic. (And finally, finally I will have an incredible pen to be proud of)
:redface:.
Timebandit… Wear out the lathe. I am honored to know you, learn from you, and it is I who am in your debt.
And now folks, Lets make some pens! Goodbye.
Earlier tonight I confirmed that my mailing to Timebandit had arrived and my role in a years long story was complete!
I am very uncomfortable with posting this, but some things occurred this week that need to be highlighted, and since I played a role I will make this posting and then fade back into the woodwork (pun intended!) where I prefer to be.
What I did for Timebandit is most certainly not about me! I am humbled by the response. My wife and I go to work each day, we are comfortable, but DO need to work. We are very aware of financial burdens that everyone has. And for some hard working folks, life throws them a curveball.
That being said, I was on the receiving end of someone who helped me many years ago. What I offered Timebandit WAS NOT MINE! It was meant to be passed on when the time was right.
Point ONE: Timebandit has no debt to ME. He in his own time and way needs to/and will pass on something that will aid another (need not be financial – volunteering, being a Big Brother, any number of opportunities). The favor is not to come back to me or it will end – I have already benefitted from the favor, Timebandit will benefit in his own way, then it should be passed on. When the time is right, he will know.
Point TWO: I never hesitated with my offer (and I would do it again), but something bothered me that I couldn't figure out. Last night around 2 AM It hit me. I had forgotten something that I had once known, but had slowly rejected.
Four crumbling disks in my neck, back injuries, and no ability to tolerate 16 different pain medications have resulted in daily pain. Standing at the lathe is actually one of my most comfortable positions for my neck! After 15 years I stopped asking for help and lived with the pain in the day, and after my lathe was turned off a stiff highball would get me to sleep.
Timebandit – It is you who was the key to my lesson, and for that I say "THANK YOU!" Next week I have scheduled the first visit to a respected Spine/Surgical Institute. While I may have been willing to offer help, I had long ago forgotten to ASK for help, and to ACCEPT it when offered. Your Dad was most certainly correct, but it takes guts to ask and accept help!
Through your honest sharing of your situation – you asked for nothing (and having made the mature decision to part with something very meaningful in your life), I now have the opportunity to again seek help myself.
I suspect I got the better end of this exchange, how ironic. (And finally, finally I will have an incredible pen to be proud of)
:redface:. Timebandit… Wear out the lathe. I am honored to know you, learn from you, and it is I who am in your debt.
And now folks, Lets make some pens! Goodbye.
