On Teaching One’s Sons

I’m convinced that Dad was a better teacher than I. Dad, being the son of a carpenter, liked to do woodwork. He also liked lapidary. He would build things. In the process, he would show me how things were built. As a result, I can tell the difference between a Stilson wrench and other types of moneky wrenches. My sons, if asked for a crescent wrench, might return with a channel lock pliers. That’s it. I’m a failure as a Father. My sons, who seem to love me anyway, might argue. But they haven’t had the joy of turning bowls with me, like I did with my Dad.