This has been a good spring break for us. It was a great time to get away with some great friends who absolutely spoiled us as well as a lot of fun to be with Tami and the kids. There is an event that has struck me over this past week. It was a late night of watching basketball when my sister-in-law found a water leak in their house. Wet carpet....late at night....have to work in the morning....(insert your own vernacular) I was able to locate the leak the next morning, pulled the guts out of a valve and took it to buy new guts only to find out that they no longer make that particular gut anymore. So, the young employee asked his older (more experienced) boss what to do. Experience placed the part in a vice, grabbed a drill bit, drilled out the broken part, tapped out the hole and replaced with a larger screw and new washer. Old part now fixed. Experience told young employee to now go to the computer and figure up a bill!! He could run the computer but not think himself into a simple solution.
Later that day I arrived at mom and dad's and dad asked if we could flip the trampoline over so he could braze some broken legs. Seth kept asking me "is he welding?, can I watch or do I have to look away?" it was then that I realized that we are losing our abilities to fix and mend the broken by using simple techniques. We would rather discard the broken (its not worth it, it will take less time to buy new) rather than get involved, get dirty, have pride in our work and keep what is worth keeping. We can peck a computer but not be able to remove a screw!! Experience is a great teacher. The Experienced need to invest in the Inexperienced and the Inexperienced better be learning from the Experienced. Which one are you?
To be farm-raised and city-smart … that's the best education you can get these days. One of my biggest regrets is this: During the many hours I spent holding the flashlight for "Experience" while I was a kid at home on the farm I wasn't really paying attention. He taught me a lot -- but I missed a lot, too. It's a shame. I can't get those missed opportunities back.
ReplyDeleteThat is how I felt that day. I have missed learning what comes natural to my dad. I want my sons to learn how to work and fix stuff and get dirty when necessary and understand the enjoyment and satisfaction of having worked hard. For me, it beats wearing a tie!
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