My husband, Ray, is one handy guy. Over the years he’s transformed our dining room into the Italian countryside with a hand-painted mural, built birdhouses in the shape of historic buildings like the Biltmore and remodeled our entire bedroom by himself. It’s hard work, but a labor of love.
Just before Ray retired, he was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a protein disorder. The treatments made him weak and he wasn’t able to do much but rest. Forget about working on projects! Even after he went into remission he was still lethargic. I worried his creative days were over.
One afternoon I caught him reading a craft book. “I could make this,” he said, holding up a page showing a tin soldier fashioned from a stovepipe.
“Of course you can,” I said. I didn’t doubt Ray had the skill, but I was afraid the complicated project would be too taxing for him.
Ray was determined. He worked in the garage day and night. He seemed to have more energy than ever. A few weeks later he called me in.
There, standing next to a few stovepipe soldiers, were nearly 20 stovepipe angels. He added wings and halos and hand-painted each angelic face.
Ray gave most of the angels away. We kept two. Reminders of the heavenly inspirations that brought my handy guy back to life.
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