The time has arrived when I must reduce significantly the number of Arts & Craft shows that I will be able to do. The reasons are two-fold – one is that I have reached the age of 72 with a bad back (metal rods, screws, fused vertebra etc.) and driving long distances for a show and setting up is becoming much more painful and difficult. The primary reason, however, is that my dear wife has been diagnosed with dementia and I can only go to a show if I have someone to stay with her. Shortly, I fear, I will not be able to leave her at all. (Our 50th anniversary is this June -1966-2016). This begs the question – what now?
The “what now” is that I will do a few shows (which will be posted on the “Show Schedule” on my website) and I will try to sell more of my instruments from my web site. (My website is being adapted to make this process easy.) Please understand that I will make instruments as long as I am able – I just will not be able to do as many shows as I used to. I will really miss seeing all of my friends, but “time waits for no man” {or woman}.
I have been so very fortunate to have had the blessing of doing the work that I have wanted to do – be it teaching or making instruments. Would that all persons could experience that, because if you do what you want to and are drawn to, then it is not work, it is expressing yourself and sharing your passion with others. People have written to me or called to thank me for the workmanship and love that has gone into the instruments that they have bought or inherited and the pleasure that they and their families have received from instruments that I built with my own hands. Imagine the satisfaction and pleasure that that affords especially considering that the goal that I strive to achieve with my work is to bring pleasure and joy to those who play and to those who hear my instruments (to say nothing of the fact that my instruments will continue to bring pleasure and joy to people long after I am gone).
Bottom line – I have had (and am having) “a good run”!
Blessings upon all!
Archie
Comments
As I will turn 72 on May 22 and have hip and ankle problems, I certainly understand the difficulties that age and infirmity can bring, and I sympathize.
I too admire your devotion to your wife and your decision to stay home with her. In my nursing career, I dealt with so many family members in your situation. I urge you to find support groups or individuals. Keep making instruments and music and make sure you take care of yourself. Remember the airline guidelines - always put your oxygen mask on first to be better able to give help to others. You will no doubt find that music provides just the "breath of fresh air" you need.
Archie, I've followed a lot of your posts, more of an admiring observer than a participant. This
latest just moves me to comment. What a wonderful role model you are of what a loving partner looks like. I'm of an age myself where I'm seeing friends in stages of dementia, and not a day goes by that I don't question whether my latest episode of forgetfulness is a precursor of dementia for myself. Your love for your wife just shines through your entry. She and you are both blessed to have created such a bond. I only hope that I'll be as graceful as you are should the need arise. I am so glad that you'll be able to continue with your art.
Blessings right back at you!
The dementia of a partner has to just be about the worst thing that can happen in a relationship, I think. What is wonderful though is that you still have the will to create. That is astonishing even after all these years. It gives you a reason to get up in the morning. Hopefully you have good friends nearby that love you and your wife and can enable you to continue creating. I've heard lots of people say they are going to continue doing shows forever because what else can they do? Mostly these are plenty smart people with so many skills and interests. They are going to keep doing shows because they love the creating and the freedom of the lifestyle.
Since Norm died last year I've been meeting new people. They are amazed at the richness of our lives, the travel, the people we meet and the superiors we don't have to please.
Get that website ready. Don't forget FB as a place to share quickly your newest work. I've got a podcast that can maybe inspire you also: What good are websites for artists
Barrie, Thank you so much for your kind comment. I appreciate your blog about your horrifying experience last year, but I am so very thankful that your wife is doing OK now. Your comment was also a very beautiful and tearful statement.
This is a very beautiful and tearful statement, Archie. I posted about what happened with my wife nearly dying last year in your other thread about the drive to create. But I got lucky and she's doing fine now. We had to quit touring, but we're doing fine otherwise. Our lives just got a little simpler, really. And yes, we have had a great run, too and plan to keep on creating the art together.
I am deeply sorry to hear about your wife's condition. When I thought my wife was dying last year, I stood in the parking garage of the medical center wondering if I'd want to make a picture frame ever again. As I said already, I got lucky and she recovered. I didn't have to cross the path it seems you are about to cross now.
I wish you well and hope you have family and friends close to you. We are all so fortunate to have you bringing joy to our lives.
Hang in there, Archie. You have to do what you have to do. Doing shows can be hard. It is a lot of lifting and hauling. I hope the shows you do do this year are great.
Oh Archie, I will miss you and your beautiful music. I have been close to you at many a show but last year at Central Penn you and I spent the 4 days next to each other and I really got to know what an extraordinary artist and person that you are. I knew because of your back how hard it was for you to do a show then, I think it was the music and the great people that are entranced with your beautiful instruments that kept you loving art fairs. It won't be the same, my friend, your music was always a soothing balm and your upbeat and joyful personality always were a welcome addition for me. Try to keep doing some shows if you can and keep making those beautiful instruments. You will be missed by many.