“People do not die for us immediately, but remain bathed in a sort of aura of
life which bears no relation to true immortality but through which they
continue to occupy our thoughts in the same way as when they were alive. It
is as though they were traveling abroad.”
―
Marcel Proust
Keeping busy isn't an antidote for the blues, but it does help a bit. A longtime friend and colleague came over this morning so I could get her addicted introduce her to my famous Monin Dark Chocolate Sauce mochas! Later, Patt's good buddy Jim, the painter who bonded with him on many jobs and then became a close friend, brought over some construction friends and family. A former colleague and her husband came over at the same time...and I realized that I had misjudged them. When an impressive toolbox full of Makita tools was marked $300, I offered to let him have it for a lower price, but he turned me down! It's worth AT LEAST $300, he told me and paid me with no negociating. Table saws, chop saws, routers, jigsaws, sawsalls, planers and airless sprayers went, to the tune of $1200 in approximately 2 hours. In the past month I've learned what all these tools are and that router bits are actually worth a lot of money. (I would have thrown them in the trash!) If Patt were here, he would be so proud! When Jim tried to pay me for a huge ladder or a few other things, like a sander, I refused firmly since Patt had instructed me(basically on his death bed) that he wanted Jim to have whatever he wanted. I've been telling myself that tools are only useful when they aren't sitting in a van or a garage, but I was SAD to see them go. Selling his beloved tools was like saying goodbye to him all over again. It makes it feel even more final that he really isn't coming back, which I know in my head but not yet in my heart.
Glad to know that these things went to a good home -- one your husband would approve of.
Posted by: Kathy | January 20, 2013 at 05:10 AM
As I was reading this, I was thinking how nice it was that a part of Patt will be living on through his tools. Particularly Jim, who worked with him, will be carrying not only tools but undoubtedly things he learned from Patt into future jobs. It's a beautiful legacy.
Posted by: Zazzy | January 20, 2013 at 07:09 AM
It's great that you have such honest friends and acquaintances. :)
Posted by: Marie K | January 20, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Bittersweet to say goodbye to the tools but it sounds like they have landed in good hands.
Posted by: kayak woman | January 20, 2013 at 02:30 PM
I am glad that it went perhaps better than anticipated, and that you were able to stand in for Patt's wishes. (And I am sure it was not raining - not something to be counted on out here in January. It actually got sunny at our house for a bit.)
Posted by: Jay | January 20, 2013 at 05:25 PM
Oh, I am so glad this went well. I was worried about that. Also, I have to second Zazzy. She is quite right, and that is a lovely legacy to carry forward.
Posted by: Adrasteia | January 20, 2013 at 06:52 PM
So glad the tools have found such good homes! The "legacy" thing is lovely, true, and very poignant.
Posted by: Tonya | January 21, 2013 at 08:42 AM
I'm glad the former colleague didn't have nefarious intentions. It's hard to know sometimes.
Posted by: Michelle | January 21, 2013 at 02:04 PM