Thanks again for the support and for taking the time to read this note. At the beginning of January my truck was stolen from right out in front of my house. Along with my truck, all the tools that I used daily and had collected over the past 18 years were also taken. Some of these tools were sentimental and some were very specialized and unique to my trade. In the days that followed, I kept reminding myself that ‘it’s just stuff’ but it was a hectic and very stressful beginning to the New Year.

Fortunately, my truck was recovered but my tools and other gear were not. It took 3 months to complete all the necessary repairs and that process came with its own challenges and headaches. During this time, I had rented a bright blue Dodge Caravan so that I could keep things rolling and that minivan actually worked out pretty well for a few weeks.

Shortly after my truck was stolen, I was visiting a past client to check out a drainpipe that had become clogged with roots from a nearby tree. We had finished a renovation of her garden years ago and since then we’ve completed many other projects in the neighborhood. When we’re in the neighborhood, we often see her walking and we’ll smile and say ‘Hello’ and chat about the weather and plants.

As I was working to unclog the drainpipe and reassemble it with the limited tools I had at the time, she inquired about the blue minivan with Texas plates. I explained the story of the stolen truck and tools as light-hearted as I could, but I was still feeling pretty down and helpless about the situation. As I was cleaning up and about to leave, she brought me a handful of old tools that had belonged to her father that she had no use for. They were old and a little rusty, but they were well-made and worked just fine. I chose a few pliers with colorful plastic handles and those are pictured on the front propped up against the grey planter.

I had to buy a lot of new tools this year to replace the ones that are gone and some were costly and hard to find. Of all the new stuff I purchased, these old pliers are the most treasured. They are a simple reminder of how to use what you have to lend support and offer kindness to others in times of vulnerability. Thanks so much to everyone who extended a little extra kindness and perhaps a lot of extra patience to me this year as I worked to get things back on track.

In gratitude,

David Dang