My final gift to my wife, and my final post of this thread.

[RichardA]

    Some of you know, and some don't.  My wife was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. She went through all the necessary treatments, radiation, chemotherapy and everything they had to stop the cancer.  It worked, all that was left after 2 1/2 years of treatments was scar tissue. Hooray we thought, but hold on a minute. Why wasn't she recovering? She was weak, hardly able to walk, to eat, to have a good life again.  It seems that the chemicals that are used to kill off the cancer cells, also do damage to other parts of the body. Those chemicals that saved my wife's life from cancer, destroyed her stem cells.  Those are the cells in the bone marrow that produce red blood, white blood cells and the platelets that people need to live, you've got'em and be damned glad you do.   Her immune system was gone, totally destroyed, any damn wandering germ could kill her, so we went full, hospital gowns, latex gloves, and masks for everyone, she was on oxygen 24/7.  I had to take her to the ER more times than you cross cut wood in a week. But she was tough, she never gave up, Ask Coop, that bum talked to her every week, sometimes more. 3 1/2 months ago, after 6 blood transfusions, we were told she had maybe 6 months to live. She made it to 3 months. I was with her in her hospital room when she died.  It ripped my heart out. When we were told that 6 months was a possibility, I began construction on a project, I'd never dreamed I'd do. A friend, a sawyer you all know as Spanky, donated the wood. Along time close friend, an ex scooter tramp helped me make and install the hearts and hand rail, and a damned good friend flew in from Texas to do an inlay of a cross that my wife had and wanted on her casket.

    Never in my life did I know such good friends.  The casket was built from Sassafras, so she would have that wonderful fragrance all the way to heaven. The top was curly Cherry. I did a crude carving of two hearts on one part, and my good friend [A bum} did the inlay.  She died on the 19th of this month, and I buried the love of my life on Friday the 26th .  Just a few days ago, and it's not real even now.  These are the pictures of those friends and the casket they helped to build for a very special human.  You'll be able to tell who's who. The bearded bum is my scooter tramp friend, we go back to years that should be left unmentioned.  The bum in the red shirt is Ken Cooper. Probably the nicest guy you'd ever want to know.  I couldn't find the pic of Spanky, but if you can buy wood from this guy, he won't screw you.  The rest is the short version of the build. I never wanted it to be used in my lifetime.Inside around where her hips and legs were going I saved most of the Sassafras and Cherry that I had to plane to make fit I scattered those shavings to give her that fragrance. Ken flew in for the burial, and some friends drove in from cajun country to see her off and sing her favorite song " Go rest high on that mountain".  And that's where she is now, on top of a mountain called Monteagle, in Tennessee in the cemetery named for her maiden name O'Dear. and she's lying on the right hand of a man she loved......Her Father, George O'Dear.  I hope I did her justice.   ...........Rick

[..Kev]

To quote you, you done good young man!  A truly beautiful tribute!

Prayers for the family Rick!

[Spanky]

You done a great job!

[Tom King]

Even though I've never met any of you in person, I'm honored to be able to consider you to be friends.

[Pondhockey]

That's really wonderful, Richard.

[Coop]

I was given way too much credit but thanks bud. He failed to mention, and correct me Rick if I’m wrong, the 143 was their “code signal” throughout their marriage when they would go their separate ways. The number of letters in I Love You. Instead of waving goodbye, it was 1 finger, 4 fingers and then 3. She was a wonderful lady and I’m honored to have met her and help enter her in her final earthly resting place. Stay strong bud, as hard as it may be. Coop

[RichardA]

Ken helped me through this more than he knows. ....

[wdwerker]

Woodworker's are a great bunch. I'm glad you feel strong enough to share your project and your pain with us. 

[Chet]

The beauty and the heart and sole you put into this project are beyond words.  You gave Linda a great place to rest.

[Coop]

16 minutes ago, RichardA said:

Ken helped me through this more than he knows. ....

See you in Amana this spring after the snow melts, hopefully. I will be bringing some long underwear this time, red heads or not. 

[RichardA]

15 minutes ago, wdwerker said:

Woodworker's are a great bunch. I'm glad you feel strong enough to share your project and your pain with us. 

I cried through the whole damn thing.

Just now, K Cooper said:

See you in Amana this spring after the snow melts, hopefully. I will be bringing some long underwear this time, red heads or not. 

Yeah you will.

[pkinneb]

Rick my hat's off to you sir not sure I could have done that project but what a beautiful job!! There are some amazing people in this world it sounds like you were married to one of them and we all have the pleasure of interacting with several others who like you are a part of this community. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family in this difficult time.

[RichardA]

2 minutes ago, pkinneb said:

Rick my hat's off to you sir not sure I could have done that project but what a beautiful job!! There are some amazing people in this world it sounds like you were married to one of them and we all have the pleasure of interacting with several others who like you are a part of this community. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family in this difficult time.

I couldn't not do it. It was the most painful thing I've ever done, and the most comforting.

[Woodenskye]

A wonderful and beautiful tribute to a very special woman.  Stay strong my friend, if you need a pick me up, any of use would surely be glad to help.  

[RichardA]

At the moment my close and very dear friend Jack Daniels is supplying support, but thanks.

[Coop]

I met him once, damn, I think it was at your house ! Tradition goes on and I enjoyed every minute of it!  Coop

[wtnhighlander]

Rick, you are a stronger man than I. I know Linda loved / loves you, and you, her. You guys had more than a great many in this world do, so congratulations on that. I know she appreciated the last gift, for its beauty, but more for the hands that made it.

I will continue to lift you up, my friend.

[drzaius]

Richard, my heart goes out to you. That's something that I just can't imagine having to go through.

I've built 5 caskets; for my mom, dad, 2 sisters and a 2 1/2 month old grandson. All 5 were built with siblings, nephews, nieces and a granddaughter. It's a great way to mourn and to celebrate the life of a loved one. Take care.

[Chestnut]

Thanks for sharing Rick. I'm glad that i got to read about and see your final gift and craftsmanship.

[Mick S]

Thanks again, Rick. As others have implied, we may discuss woodworking here, but I suspect that this community is why we all keep coming back.

Alison and I are keeping you in our thoughts. 

[estesbubba]

Thanks for sharing Rick and the craftsmanship on your final gift was perfect! Thoughts and prayers to you, your family, and friends. 

[Ronn W]

 I am so sorry for your loss.  Your final gift to her is a fitting and loving tribute.  I will not forget her warm hospitality the one time I met her at your house.  She was, indeed a special person. Please know that sll our thoughts are with you.

[Mark J]

Rick,  that was a fantastic job and gift.  I don't know that I would have had the stamina, courage and presence of mind to do the same were my circumstances similar.  I am sitting in the doctor's waiting room and I literally can't stop the tears.

[treeslayer]

Rick, I’m glad to see you posted the pictures of your beautiful work, I’m with the other folks here I don’t know how you did it, you are one strong guy, I only talked to Linda once or twice and sorry to say I never met her, a wonderful lady for sure and resting in a beautiful spot on that mountain, you are an example of strength and love for the rest of us. Stay strong my friend 

[RichardA]

13 minutes ago, treeslayer said:

Rick, I’m glad to see you posted the pictures of your beautiful work, I’m with the other folks here I don’t know how you did it, you are one strong guy, I only talked to Linda once or twice and sorry to say I never met her, a wonderful lady for sure and resting in a beautiful spot on that mountain, you are an example of strength and love for the rest of us. Stay strong my friend 

Dave, thanks... But there are only two options for what I'm dealing with.  Hang in there , or don't.  The second option, I promised Linda I wouldn't do, and when I say I'll do something, you can bet every grey whisker on your and my face that it will be done.  I believe in verbal contracts.