A train of thought can move so fast, from some random beginning, through links and jerks; pausing briefly to check anything but direction. This seems to be more than a regular occurrence for me, perhaps I should have been an engine driver; or a signal box man!Today was no exception with a glace at the word Spitfire I was off; bottle of beer, aircraft, seagull and car. A friend of mine a few years ago was restoring a Spitfire sports car; now I have a lot of time for someone who restores things... This got me thinking more.
To restore something (the dictionary says) is to bring back to an original condition. It must take great pains, care and attention to detail; referring to the makers original specification, using authentic parts or at least, made using the same methods. It would be so much easier to replicate with another material, using modern process; plastic does not have the same ring.
It takes I think a special man or woman to restore a clock, a car, furniture, a picture; a dwelling place. We would say, a labour of love for surely without a love for the restoration, work would never begin. I am in awe of a person who, taking pains over what to anyone else would be a ridiculous amount of time, to bring back something to its true original glory. This is something we can appreciate but not understand, imagine and dream but never get round to doing. It must be really fulfilling to restore something.
Note to evening office: Help me see what needs restoring; find me the tools and materials, and I'll find the time.
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2 comments:
I'm in awe of the patience and focus of someone who can do that too...cars, clocks, antiques etc.
but....
perhaps we are all restorers in some capacity? To help someone pick up the pieces and sort out their inner stuff.... is that a form of restoration too? :)
I read a great piece in John O'Donahue's book, Beauty last night entitled...."the slow work of integrating a flaw..." It came to mind when I was thinking about your post. Maybe part of our personal growth includes restoration of some kind as well.
I usually have other things on my mind when I ramble on about restoring to former glory...
I used to be a bit of a sprinter, not sure I can do much about that now; however the manufactures specifications have not all been tried out yet - the best is yet to come.
St Francis set about restoring a church, but he was up to a lot more than that..
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