I was named after both of my Grandfathers. One passed away before I was born and the other I loved dearly. PaPa seemed to always have time for me. Time to fish, time to teach a young boy the basics of carpentry, time to take a drive, time to teach how to hunt and time to spend time in a swing… simply talking while shooting targets with acorns from home-made sling shots, and of course….. time to cook some potatoes.
James Fred Rowland, known as PaPa to his grandchildren passed away in 1984. PaPa’s southern charm and easy going nature made him a favorite of all who knew him. Sometime after PaPa left us, I inherited some of his tools. They were not grand tools; no Craftsman or anything closely resembling a “high end” tool that you can buy now at Home Depot. The tools were owned and used by a simple man, a man who made his own table saws and turning lathes out of used dryer motors. Hammers and saws with homemade handles, two homemade tool boxes… one made by him and the other an exact replica, made by a 13 year old boy at the same time and other tools of his craft that he took pride in. Some of the tools I use regularly and some remain in the tool box he made. Sometimes I like to open the big wooden tool box and reminisce about the man whom I was named after.
One of the items in the tool box was a three foot carpenter’s level; the one he would hang in his truck. In fact I remember he painted the caulking around the little glass bubbles green to match his truck, also hand painted. The level was black with dirt and grease from years of storage in the bottom of his tool box and the brass on the level was tarnished and missing several of the little brass tacks used to hold it in place. I had put off for a long time cleaning up the tool box or the items inside, in fear that I may lose some piece of him. I have though come to believe that the part of PaPa I wanted so much to keep alive was and will be with me forever. As I held the level and thought about times we had , I decided to clean it up.
I spent several hours working on my new project. I found myself looking forward to getting home from work so I could spend some time doing what he taught me. As I worked, I traveled back in time and recalled so many of the wonderful times we had. As the level became cleaner, I noticed some writing on the level. In PaPa’s writing was the word “TRUE” along with his two lines he always made to mark a particular spot. I think it is interesting that the word true is used in many different contexts. Webster defines true as: ideal, steadfast, loyal, honest and truthful. This one word so aptly defines this man as well as so many of the people in my life who have made an impression on me.
After several hours of scrubbing, drying, sanding, polishing, three coats of varnish and reassembly, my project was complete. I believe that I did a pretty good job on the level; a job that PaPa would be impressed with. I don’t even think he would be too critical of the one spot on the wood where it is not quite as refinished as the rest and the word “TRUE” remains.
I don’t have a truck, but if I ever do, I will hang this level in it…... For now, it rests in my bedroom, where it is a constant reminder of the man who always had time for me.
True.
A note from Allison and Marcia: Grandparents often hold a special place in our hearts. What are your memories of your grandparents?
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