Benni

Clarence’s feet slid into his worn-out brown leather slippers before the old radio clock even blared to wake him up. Still spry in his older years he jumped up to start his day. Clarence’s face showed that of someone who has experienced much life and joy and had many stories and lessons to share. But no time for that, today is Christmas Eve. Which means one thing: get to the woodshop and build Benjamin, his grandson, the perfect rocking chair that he’s been asking for, just in time for Christmas. Taking his first sip of coffee as the lights in his woodshop flickered on, the hot liquid started coursing through his body invigorating him with motivation, so he immediately started to draw out the templates for the pieces he needed to build the rocking chair. Pausing momentarily and glancing at the photo of Benni above the shop door he lightly sings,

“It’s like one, two, three

Just as easy as can be 

Just the way you look at me

You make me smile.”

Clarence’s woodshop wasn’t your normal run of the mill, homeowner woodshop. No, Clarence had a large setup with many industrial machines for his carpentry business he used to run before he retired. Many machines had vacuums built in and large tables and benches for working on. A true craftsman Clarence took pride in everything he built, and he took pride in teaching his grandson those same values and morals. Always taking time to clean up and put everything away, 

“A place for everything, and everything in its place.” Clarence muffled seemingly lost in thought.

Snapping safety goggles over his eyes he switches the bandsaw to life humming like a large hippo snoring alongside the roaring Nile. The industrial machine's loud hums and powerful motor sends the blade whirring around with enough force to cut each piece of lumber with the ease and precision of a razor cutting the most intricate design out of paper. A skill that is only bound by that of the operator, and old Clarence ain’t no slouch. Putting his years of experience on display, he pays close attention as each blade violently rips through each fiber of wood yet leaving a clean and defined cut in its wake. Ensuring each piece is exactly as it’s supposed to be, Clarence turns his attention to sanding. For such a smaller piece he decides to do all the sanding by hand. He starts to slowly knock down the edges and smooth each piece of wood. Gently mimicking the grain of each piece. Blowing plumes of saw dust with each movement, to keep a clear view of his workspace.

From the saw and sanding to the drill press. Plunging drill bits in precise locations of each piece of lumber will guarantee a perfect fit, for a strong chair that's meant to be played on. Double checking each measurement, one at a time, Clarence places each piece on the press and flicks the switch, while the machine drones to life, Clarence lines the holes up, like a skilled brain surgeon drilling a patient's cranium. Slowly drilling bone out of the way yet leaving a clean precise hole. Taking a second to assess his work, Clarence glances at the clock and notices it is almost dinner time and can’t believe where the time went.

 “No time for that,” he muttered to himself under his breath. 

Clarence hurriedly starts lightly hammering each piece into place with the proficiency of an assembly line robot zipping pieces together. First a dowel then the piece: First the two rocker pieces with perfectly curved edges connect to the seat with round legs. The seat includes nice indents for Benni’s little bottom. From there the arm rests are curved down then back up to the backrest. Now that was a sight to see. Standing a bit taller than most with knobs at the top on either side, and right in the middle of the backrest as large as can be is the letter B burned into the wood so skillfully it seemed like it was meant to be there. Now really focusing on the details Clarence spends time cleaning up some edges and blending corners together after fitting all the pieces. 

After a final inspection and wipe down the rocker is finally ready to be stained. Dipping his cloth into the rich walnut stain Clarence is sure to take his time rubbing it in with the grains and all the corners and details. The dark black wood grains resemble those of a tiger against the dark stain. Glancing again at the picture of Benni he whispers

“It’s like one, two, three

Just as easy as can be 

Just the way you look at me

You make me smile.”

Clarence’s feet slid into his worn-out brown leather slippers before the old radio clock even blared to wake him up. This morning was Christmas though, he gets to finally show Benni his chair that he’s been asking for. Taking his time, Clarence makes his way to the woodshop and watches as the lights flicker on. Inspecting the chair one final time, he ties a red bow around the front, being careful not to cover the B and carries it to the house.

 Clarence has always been a Christmas lover and enjoys how close it brings the family, and this year wasn’t going to be any different. Decorating the tree himself with bright white lights wrapped around the trunk and sprawled out across the branches giving the tree a sense of depth and beauty, like that of the night sky on a clear brisk winter’s night. Adorned with a brightly lit star at the top. The real beauty of this tree, however, wasn’t in the lights or the shape or smell. You see, Clarence's tree told a story, an adventure, each ornament, a memory. There’s one from the family trip to Disney, and one shaped like a pyramid from Egypt, one made from popsicle sticks with a picture of Benni and Grandpa going ice fishing for the first time. But just above that almost to the very top of the tree underneath the star, there’s a brand new one he just added. Slowly reaching for it he sits on the new rocker as he reads it for the thousandth time just as a tear splashes onto the picture of Benni on the ornament,

In Loving Memory 

        “Benni”

    10/17-11/23

“It’s like one, two, three

Just as easy as can be 

Just the way you look at me

You make me smile.”