Bittersweet

leatherman

leatherman

leathermoderator
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 30, 2001
Messages
13,564
hey guys, Its been a rather long and difficult year for us as most of you know. My father has been battling cancer for qute some time now, it started in the Colon and migrated to the liver. Things were pretty grim in the late summer as nothing seemed to work, a last ditch effort double strong chemo treatment has had a good effect so far though its effect on the body is not. The cancer has receeded to a shadow on the scan now which is great news. :) Not out of the weather yet, but great news none the less, it turned a matter of weeks into a matter of months possibly a few years if things stay as they are. The elation is short lived though.

Through this ordeal we have put out large amounts of time and money trying to give our daughter some time with her grandfather and I got behind on the sheathmaking. Most of you have been so supportive though all this and you have my undying gratitude, a couple have not been very pleased with me and I understand totally. Now that my father is getting better I feel like I have wasted some of that time and money. I should have been working. I let a bunch of you down, and I deserve the coments, though the "I dont want your business" did hurt.

I've been working double hard to get more work out the door these last few months and were actually seeing progress, but I realize its not enough. I do understand if your tired of waiting, but please do let us know if your unhappy instead of wating till Stacy writes in that I'm ready to cut leather. We're not ignoring anyone, We're not putting anyone ahead of anyone else, I dont play favorites and I dont play games. Your welcome to change the order, add to it (why you saw that Scrofa sheath) or take things off the list. And I dont blame you if you want to try elsewhere, I deserve it.

Please accept my apologies guys, it was my father and I got carried away.
 
Hey Dwayne, i hope everything works out with your father. I just have to say the times i have dealt with you and Stacy where amazing and i would for sure get another sheath from you again.
 
as far as i am concerned, no apology necessary.

family comes first.

anyone that made negative comments does not know you, your wife, or your work.

you and stacy are class acts. you deserve our business, but you deserve our friendship and understanding even more.
 
Dwayne,

Had it turned the other way, you would have been crushed at the amount of time NOT spent with him. As far as I am concerned you have done right. These arrogant tarts who are getting worked up over a sheath....to hell with them. THEY need to sort THEIR muddled priorities and realize that a non-essential sheath is nothing when compared to the situation you and your family faced.
 
Family first Dwayne. Plain and simple.

Through this ordeal we have put out large amounts of time and money trying to give our daughter some time with her grandfather ...snip... Now that my father is getting better I feel like I have wasted some of that time and money.
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No regrets Dwayne. Looking back on it be happy that you were able to do that for your daughter. Heaven forbid the outcome didn't end up being positive but there would have been nothing worse than looking back and wishing for more time together.

No doubt there will be a few people who are unhappy, however the number of us that are beyond pleased with your work outnumber them by a ridiculous amount!
 
Family first. You are very blessed. My mom did not survive and I wish I had more time. Be selfish with every minute you can.
 
Scary attitudes some folks have... Family always comes first!! Good luck w/ your Father's recovery..
 
Ed T said:
Family first. You are very blessed. My mom did not survive and I wish I had more time. Be selfish with every minute you can.
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What he said!

You've done things right in my book Dwayne... and I wish your father the best.
 
Dwayne, I knew your dad was sick, so I thought nothing of the slightly longer wait for some sheaths.

Family comes first. That's it. Period.
 
I don't think you got carried away. More time was spent with a loved one. Our time together here is short and I, like most people, work to be able to simply spend time with my loved ones. That time is the payoff.

My Grandparents, due to a divorce of my parents when I was 3, played a heavy role in my parenting as a kid. What I wouldn't give just to spend an afternoon fishing off a bridge in FL with my late Grandpa again. A few minutes just to spend with my Grandma and talk about my kids.

Trust me, man. Once they're gone you'll never wish you could take back time spent with them to have worked/played, etc.

You did the right thing. At least in my mind.
 
You did right Dwayne! Gravel was correct, you would certainly regret NOT being there for your dad, and your little girl will now have some good forever memories. You guys are all top notch people in my book.

And your sheaths are worth well worth the wait!
 
Glad you father is doing a little better Dwayne:thumbup:

No need to appoligize, your doing the right thing by letting yourself and daughter spend time with your Dad.

Cancer took my father 17 years ago, I spent alot of time with him in the last months and am very, very glad I did.

Your a good man, we should all put family first.
 
Dwayne, I wish you well and your family is often in my prayers.
Anyone who makes ignorant negative comments about you spending more time with family, sick or not, should promptly go do something to themselves that under normal circumstances would involve another person.
You'll have my business again when I have more funds, and blades worthy of your art.
 
No worries Dwayne. Spending time with Dad at that time take priority over any piece of leather. We're just glad to hear that he is doing better. Your work is worth the wait. Thanks.
 
Dwayne,
As others here have already stated, I too don't believe that an apology is necessary under the circumstances. If someone really did say that they don't want your business, then I am sorry for them as well because things were going on in their life such that they could not wait for you. Don't take it personally though. Who knows what may have motivated that person to say such a thing? Life can be very hard and complex sometimes, and we can't always know what is motivating someone. Still, had I been in your shoes, I would have done exactly the same thing.

I'm thankful that your father will be around for a bit longer than originally anticipated and I'm glad you chose the path you did. In the long run, you'll see that it was the right thing to do.
 
Dwayne, anyone who doesn't understand, screw 'em.

One day they will learn what is important in life, and it isn't material items.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours bud.

Now get to work and quit apologizin...LOL :p :cool:
 
Now that my father is getting better I feel like I have wasted some of that time and money. I should have been working.
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Don't you DARE feel that. Ever!

I'm sure on your tombstone and at your funeral, you want it said that you wuz a great worker. Forget loving son, caring father, and faithful husband. ;)

You had 100% of your priorities straight this year. CONGRATS on that. You faced a difficult time and most guys would buckle under and just work harder, trying to ignore the issue. I am damned proud to know you, Dwayne.
 
Can't really top any of the above. I love every sheath you have crafted for me Dwayne. My past phone conversations with you, and Stacy, have always been fun, and always 100% helpful. Try not to let the insensative idiots out there get to you. You and your work are loved, and respected by a whole lot a folks out here. I will be placing an order soon for my ASH-1 Kydex Fusion sheaths, and will wait as long as it takes for you to work your magic. You, and your family will always have my respect and patience, and a prayer or two, at this time.
 
Gravelface said:
Dwayne,

Had it turned the other way, you would have been crushed at the amount of time NOT spent with him. As far as I am concerned you have done right. These arrogant tarts who are getting worked up over a sheath....to hell with them. THEY need to sort THEIR muddled priorities and realize that a non-essential sheath is nothing when compared to the situation you and your family faced.
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Aye that Dwayne! Anyone giving you a hard time should shut up or just take their business elsewhere quietly. In the grand scheme, time with your dad means a hell of a lot more than anyone's opinion of your business sense. Let their world fall down around them like it does when seriously ill health strikes a beloved parent and see how well they handle their daily obligations. To hear folks get up their dander at you like that makes me angry. Some people have a highly over developed sense of self importance. Shame on them, you're a good son, a good father and a good guy all the way around. My dad died suddenly 8 years ago and I'd love to have had some extra time to spend with him before he was taken from me. You do what your heart tells you and to hell with the folks giving you a hard time.
 
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