A little of Dad with me in the shop!

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
My Dad suffers from Alzheimer's and barely recognize me now so I can't share with him my knifemaking passion. I've showed him a few of the first knives I've made in the beginning and he was happy but still too far gone for him to really appreciate it. I would have liked for him to come work in the shop with me. You see, for about 20 years he did some metal sculptures as a hobby. Even sold a bunch in stores. He was a sheet metal worker by trade and very good with his hands. Made a lot of homemade tools in his garage and all kinds figurines and sculptures. So I obviously got the metal working bug from him and would have liked to share that with him. I think he would have been proud.

Anyway that's impossible now and I am just praying that the Lord calls him to his side soon before he gets into some even more degrading stages of this terrible disease. :(

I found an old picture of him at his work and set it up in a corner of the shop with his favorite welding torches and glasses. It's by the place where I plug all my electrical stuff so I see him first when I get into the shop and last when I leave. Makes me feel a little like he is there with me.

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Having things around to help recall good memories is the best way to deal with such trying times.
Prayers for you and your dad.

My wife and I have little things that belonged to our parents and grandparents scattered around the house and to remind us of all the good times we had with them.
 
Thanks for sharing that, Patrice. That's tough stuff.

My friends father used to be a knife maker and talented Smith and artist. He passed away from Alzheimer's last year and my friend gave me a stained glass hunting knife his dad made years ago for me to hang in my shop.

I like your tribute to your dad, hope it gives you a smile.
 
My prayers are with you, Your Dad and Your family, I don't have anyone in my family with it, But I know it is a heart breaking disease. May God Bless!!
 
Thanks for sharing Patrice, My grandmother had it and it was awful to see her like she was towards the end. Prayers for you and your family.......
 
Thanks for the good words and prayers guys. Means a lot.
He would have liked it around here. I'll get a few pics of the sculptures he did to share with you.
 
I use my Dad,s old knife and wear one of his rings all the time.A lot of his stuff I've given to my kids.--KV
 
I'll be praying for your dad and yourself.. It is a terrible decease without a doubt.. My uncle died from dementia a couple years ago..

I have one of my late fathers baseball caps I use while I'm grinding.. Just because.. :)
 
Heartfelt prayers from my family for yours, Patrice. My own Dad has gone to his reward but like you, I'm blessed to have many of his tools, things he built, and keepsakes. I will never stop being thankful for his love and guidance.

There seems to be a lack of time-spending, lesson-teaching, hair-tousling, hug-giving Dads in our society these days. We are the ones that can help change that :thumbup:
 
james terrio said:
Heartfelt prayers from my family for yours, Patrice. My own Dad has gone to his reward but like you, I'm blessed to have many of his tools, things he built, and keepsakes. I will never stop being thankful for his love and guidance.

There seems to be a lack of time-spending, lesson-teaching, hair-tousling, hug-giving Dads in our society these days. We are the ones that can help change that :thumbup:
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I couldn't agree more.

Hang tough Patrice....
 
Watching your parents get eaten away by disease is terrible. My father is going through cancer. While is mind is still intact, it is increasingly removed from reality by the pain (and pain medications). Anyway, the point is I have a sense for what you're going through, and my heart really goes out to you.

Like you, I'm conflicted. I don't want my dad to suffer, but it's still hard for me to pray that he be taken from us.

Hard times. I'll pray for strength for you and peace for your father.
 
You are going through tough times, my sympathies are with you and your dad.
I went through it with my father, took care of him for over 10 years. One most important thing, don't forget to take care of your self, it may sound selfish, but if you fall apart everyone looses.
I remember you in my prayers.
 
Thanks for your good words guys, Much appreciated.
I am sorry about your Dad Greg, he will be in my prayers.

Dad would have liked it around here. Here is a few pictures of the stuff he did. He would have liked to share that with you guys I think.

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Thanks again for your support. It means a lot.
 
I'm really sorry to hear this Patrice.... but thank you for sharing. It's easy for some folks to forget that we're not just made up of steel dust, forges, steel chips, and dirty/burned fingers. We're each a man or woman with a family, a life, a story.... It just makes us a tighter community to share these struggles.

My Dad and I have a GREAT relationship, and just thinking about these possiblities makes me very sad. You've reminded me to hug him even tighter next time (probably tonight! :) ).

Thanks Patrice. :)
 
Patrice: Your dad did some beautiful work, very creative - each with its own thoughts and a tribute to his individual expression.
Thanks for sharing.
 
Thanks for sharing this Patrice, my thoughts go out to you and your dad. You obviously have similar abilities turning steel into art.

My father has suffered from 9 strokes, I can see in his eyes that he is sharp he just can't get it out. I take him to work with me every Thursday, he waits by the door. Unbelievably frustrating for him to not be able to do things as simple as tie his shoes or open a door. Sometimes the world is a cruel place.
 
I am sorry Ryan, I'll be praying for you and your Dad. :(
Nick, I am happy to hear you are close to your Dad and realize how important that is. People often do too late.

Ed and Ryan, I will pass your comments to Dad when I see him this week. He probably won't understand much but you never know, maybe some of it. It would make him very happy. Thanks
 
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