Today, my daughter turned 13, and I decided to build her a Vision Board.  You can see the picture below.  It is made out of red cedar boards that are almost 50-years old.

They were used on our boathouse dock until a couple months ago.  They had gotten quite punk, rough and covered with lichen over the years, so they needed to be replaced.

But, when I looked at the boards after removing them, and planed one, I noticed this beautiful wood below.  It seemed a good idea to use these cast-away boards for a higher purpose – for more than just firewood.

As you can see, I lovingly planed, sanded and cleaned up the board.  Then, I used our cottage branding iron to burn the family name into the board.

This Vision Board can be used by Gilly to pin her hopes, dreams and goals to it.  They’ll be a constant reminder to her of what she cherishes most.  And, they’ll be tied to the cottage – a place we all love.

In keeping with my post from yesterday, I was in “flow” when making the board – planing, sanding, drilling the holes for the twine that will secure it to her wall, and then the fun of branding it with the iron.  (Kinda like Burning Man, but in the shop instead!)

I can’t honestly say my calling is to make these vision boards, but I can tell you I love making them for the people I care about most.  It’s an honour for me to know they’re pinning words and images that link to what’s most important to them – what gives them hope – on the boards that I created at the cottage.

They continue on, and so do I somehow, too.

Built on Aug. 22, 2013 – Gillian’s 13th birthday.