(Yesterday this post was sent out to email subscribers with a draft introduction. If you received that yesterday and were confused, blame me. You can see the post in its correct entirety here. Below is the introduction to the piece you didn’t receive.)
During the last four years, I’ve lost four members of my immediate family (mom, dad, stepfather, sister), most of them suddenly and unexpectedly. And if I’ve learned one thing from the experience, it’s this: Tell people who are important to you how you feel about them. Today. Don’t wait for a nice evening on the back porch.
As many of you know, Nancy Hiller is battling pancreatic cancer. Her treatment has its ups and (deep) downs. And while I am counting on her to be one of the long-term survivors of this horrible disease, I also didn’t want her to ever leave this earth without know how important she has been to me as a person, woodworker, writer and supremely ethical being.
I’m not alone. Kara Gebhart Uhl spent the last couple weeks talking to some of the people in and out of Nancy’s orbit. And below is what they had to say.
If you’ve read her books, been a student in one of her classes or been a customer of hers, you know that this only scratches the surface of a most impressive and lovely person.
— Christopher Schwarz
Peace
I think it worked fine as you originally sent it out. Nothing to apologize for. A lovely thing to do.
You are far from being a ham handed moron…you are one of a small collection of people (who includes Ms. Hiller) who give me hope the world be ok. Your heart is in the right place.
After reading her book, “How Things Work”, I just had to meet her. Met her at Handwork’s, which was in another life time. Later on I took one of her classes at Mark Adams which I enjoyed very much. A wonderful story teller, Nancy is one of those rare people you never forget about.
An enormously kind gesture on your part. I read every note regarding Ms Hiller; it said much about what a valuable and decent human being she is, and what excellent taste she has in lifelong friends.
Best of luck to you in your fight, Ms Hiller. I hope to read some of your works, and thereby absorb a bit of your experience and talent.
Nancy’s mother thanks you, Chris, for both yesterday’s and today’s posts. You’ve given me the opportunity to appreciate a remarkable person through the eyes of her colleagues, friends, peers and students. Truly a gift.
Tomorrow is a gift…not a given.
“Memento Mori”
Beautiful words you posted today Chris…
Sending smoke Nancy’s way…
Thanks for doing this to honour Nancy. I have never met her but feel like I have gotten to know her through her writings and Instagram posts. Her positive outlook while undergoing awful treatments for an even more awful disease is inspiring.
Hang in there, Nancy. Thousands of your fans are praying for you.
FWIW, I have Leukemia. I was supposed to die in 2018, but I’m hanging in there, too.
e-hugs,
Ralph
Thanks for the explanation, but as others have said, it really wasn’t necessary. My only concern was on the original post, there was going to be a “bad news” ending. Thankfully there wasn’t. Still pulling for Nancy!
Many prayers for Nancy.
Good of you to say that loudly!
Kind collection of thoughts about Nancy, and appreciate your courage, for all of us. We too often allow ourselves to be silenced by the stupid stigma surrounding “passing”. Let’s honour and celebrate those who so much deserve it while they can hear our appreciation, And hoping so hard that Nancy will continue to share more of her awesome intellect, skill, and generous spirit for a long time to come.
Thank you. I’m doing my best to stay around!
Ralph,
It’s a deal! We’ll hang around together.
Sending love Nancy’s way – her work is an inspiration.