Back when Clayton was a wee lad, he dreamed up the idea of building a canoe. A very noble and ambitious idea, but who ever heard of "making" your own canoe? I mean... I know "people" do that sort of thing - in the magazines, that is.
Clayton's dad was more enthusiastic. He said it could be done.
That's why boys have dads.
With a curious (and admittedly skeptical) mother looking on, a pattern was found. Materials layed hold of.
And boys were thereafter to be found during late night hours in the barn working away.
Mother prayed that the "glassing" of the watercraft didn't kill too many of her men's brain cells, and secretly hoped her son wouldn't be disappointed if the project never left the four walls of that barn.
Paint chips came and went as the color of Clay's vessel was discussed and deliberated over.
Life's distractions - the inevitable villain.
Days and nights came and went.
The canoe sat sadly in a dusty corner and Clayton himself was relocated to lands where water is scarce and no barn or shop dwelt.
Ever the optimist (and his father's son in that regard) he continued to collect paint swatches and talk of the day when his canoe (yet covered in dust hundreds of miles away) would glide over cool waters.
His Momma? She hoped...
His Dad? Never once wavered from optimistically encouraging a boy and his dream.
That's why boys have dads.
Eventually a ray of light! An Idaho retreat only a couple miles from a beautiful little lake - a lake just pining for the company of a boy in a homemade canoe.
Immediately Clayton made plans, and a year after that (deciding it best to test his first launch before applying paint) his dad tied that happy canoe onto his truck, packed the whole family inside and set out for the lake.
All this to Mom's complete wonderment and delight! The maiden voyage of Clayton's canoe took place last Sunday, it's a true story and the rest is (as they say) "history".
You may enjoy seeing some of that history documented here:
Clayton's dad was more enthusiastic. He said it could be done.
That's why boys have dads.
With a curious (and admittedly skeptical) mother looking on, a pattern was found. Materials layed hold of.
And boys were thereafter to be found during late night hours in the barn working away.
Mother prayed that the "glassing" of the watercraft didn't kill too many of her men's brain cells, and secretly hoped her son wouldn't be disappointed if the project never left the four walls of that barn.
Paint chips came and went as the color of Clay's vessel was discussed and deliberated over.
Life's distractions - the inevitable villain.
Days and nights came and went.
The canoe sat sadly in a dusty corner and Clayton himself was relocated to lands where water is scarce and no barn or shop dwelt.
Ever the optimist (and his father's son in that regard) he continued to collect paint swatches and talk of the day when his canoe (yet covered in dust hundreds of miles away) would glide over cool waters.
His Momma? She hoped...
His Dad? Never once wavered from optimistically encouraging a boy and his dream.
That's why boys have dads.
Eventually a ray of light! An Idaho retreat only a couple miles from a beautiful little lake - a lake just pining for the company of a boy in a homemade canoe.
Immediately Clayton made plans, and a year after that (deciding it best to test his first launch before applying paint) his dad tied that happy canoe onto his truck, packed the whole family inside and set out for the lake.
All this to Mom's complete wonderment and delight! The maiden voyage of Clayton's canoe took place last Sunday, it's a true story and the rest is (as they say) "history".
You may enjoy seeing some of that history documented here:
Way to go my little buddy!And that's...
why boys have dads.
10 comments:
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! So very fun. Way to go Clayton!
Wonderful!!! Congratulations Clay (and Daddy too!)
XOX
gZ
What a fun project! I can see my husband and son taking on something like that someday and I would be having the same thoughts/feelings as you :)
Congrats, what a smarty!
Yay Clayton!
My Dad and brothers built two canoes with our neighbor last year (or was it the year before?). They are sitting in a dusty corner of *our* barn, waiting for their maiden voyage, too. Perhaps this summer? I hope so. :)
Way to go, Clayton! Wow! Good job mama not discouraging him from the project to keep him from disapointment. My boys will be so excited to see the pictures - as they have heard about Clayton's canoe :) Love ya
Indeed, that is why boys have dads! Whooeee for such an accomplishment!
You must be so proud of them I wish my husband had done someting like this with our son. Maybe some day my son will do it with his boys. You have a great family.
Holly Days
He looks soooo happy:)
Dear Holly,
I AM so proud! I just keep wondering why the Lord pours His blessings on one of the less deserving. Because He is wonderful, that's all there is to it!
It's much easier to THINK of great things to do with your children, than it is to actually DO them. I am the worst of culprits, and am asking the Lord to help me be more faithful in the moment when I think of that "great idea".
I hope for your son that he grabs the bull by the horns;-)
I am so thankful for the husband I have, but that's not the only thing that a man offers his family, so praise the Lord for whatever good thing He blesses your family with through your husband!
He is SO good.
Love,
Anlene
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