Finding My Legs

Today is April 20^th ALREADY!

Joshua Cassidy, Boston Marathon Wheelchair Race Winner

I spent tax-day weekend supporting Gina in her run of the Boston Marathon.  Seeing her determination and the shear grit on the faces of the thousands of participants in it with her does something to one’s timid ego.  It helps to put things into perspective.  Can an honest person really hold up the fear of uncertainty next to a legless man who pushes himself 26.2 miles, in a wheelchair, in miserably blistering heat, in world record time, with no power other than what’s in his heart and his arms?  (Granted, his forearms are bigger than my thighs, but still.)   If so, how do you live with yourself?

I ask this question because for the last 3 weeks, I have been “transitioning” from being an employed municipal drone to being self-employed and semi-retired.  By “transitioning”, I mean I have been doing pretty much nothing.  What am I waiting for?  Really?  I have taken steps all year, determined to go forward with this hair-brained scheme, but now, with its reality staring me in the face, I have found myself “legless”, paralyzed with fear of you-name-it.  Loading a saw frame, picking the right grade of sandpaper, soldering, opening the studio door………… right, just about everything.  I even found myself in the enviable position of getting a coveted spot in a metal texturing class, which I almost gave up, thinking that I was cheating someone else who was more deserving of the spot than I!  So I’ve had to ask myself:  What would Joshua Cassidy do?

I think we all know the answer to that question.

Let's get building.  In the weeks to come, please open the door and check on me.  I’ll be in the studio becoming a working metal smith, full-time and self-employed.  I’ll be getting the Etsy shop running (no pun intended), building an inventory to share with you, and conquering all of my fears! (except that pesky fear of mops & dust rags…)

I can’t do any of this without your support and I am so grateful you’re here!

Thank you.

Chris  (aka Maggie)