11/09/2025
I finished this one in about eleven hours. My alarm clock went off yesterday morning, I picked up breakfast at the store and was at the shop by 6:00 AM. I caught a glimpse of the sun as it streamed through the window. It took my breath way as a thought came to mind, “God is saying it is going to be okay!”.
It’s been a hard week! I lost a classmate, pushing the job, now this. A friend asked, “What made you start building caskets?”. It was something I had thought about, never did. As I walked into the store one morning, Kim Morris asked, “What are you doing today?”. We were going to clean up the shop, but I said, “Going to build a casket”, she said, “Really? I want it!”. The rest is history, we have been building them now for fifteen years.
I built one for my nephew, my cousin, my Dad, my Father-in-Law, and the list goes on. We built seven baby/child caskets in one year. Every time we build a baby/child casket, it brings me to tears. I have sat at the bedside and prayed, “God, please don’t take my child!”. Our youngest was unresponsive for six hours, he had been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, with a blood sugar over 500. In just a few weeks I would lose my Dad to colon cancer.
My Dad sat at the end of the table here in my shop and watched as I built the casket that would later be his own. He asked, “Is that mine?”, my response, “We are not talking about it!”. He said, “Sand it over here, sand it over there”.
What makes a person want to be involved in something that brings sadness? Let me tell you…….. I have a God-given talent and that talent is to be used in bringing glory to God. I realize in times of grief, people often blame God. Satan is the one who comes to kill, steal and destroy. As Glenn Gaines would say, “They have gone on to the best place!”. Although loss is hard, they are in a much better place. It doesn’t matter if we held them one time or had them seventy years, it is hard to let go. If I can make that time in a families life a little easier, it is worth the tears I shed and words I prayed.
If you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ today, you need one. Don’t wait, it might never happen. If you die without Christ, there is no going back.
I want to thank all who have supported us through the years. The quilt in this casket was donated several years ago, I want to thank you for giving! Your support and giving is what has kept us going through the years. Have I ever thought about giving it up? Sure! At the end of the day I tell myself, “You can’t quit, too many people are counting on you!”. What I used to do full time, I now do as time allows. Although it is hard, it is a passion that is filled with love for those who are hurting and respect for the one who has passed. My work may not be perfect, but I do my best.
Attend the worship service of your choice this morning. Give thanks to God if you and your family are healthy, all too often we take our health for granted.
Have a blessed day!
Pray for this family!
Thank you all!
