A Meaningful Christmas Gift

Don't you love a piece of good old craftsmanship like this?

                        

I was straight away in love with it when I found it over five years ago, right across the street, despite the seemingly poor condition. I can't say how old, but my feeling says 1960's latest.

The worn out paint doesn't say anything about the construction, and despite cracks, it turned out to be very stable. I left it in a corner of my bedroom to list later but it stayed there for years. Finally last year I moved it to my kitchen, because my plastic step stool went upstairs. Chef cook there wanted it. Fine with me, as it's smaller than the plastic one, just high enough for my planks and looking good. 

However a replacement came, a fold-up Pullman that I picked up cycling home. Not half the charm but taking even less place than that. And it's higher which makes it more versatile. So I was ready to let my beauty go for a fair price and a hopefully good destination.

Because it was already there I photographed it on my kitchen floor. Without the option of taking it to the yard, I think this makes the pictures a bit more attractive than on my wood imitation living room vinyl.

I listed it with all the defects and cracks clearly showing and set no price. Just curious what it would do. First evening I had a bid of €25 and someone else sent a message offering that or 20. I forgot. But none of them reacted back, so I gladly removed things thinking what looks to good to be true is too good to be true.

Then four weeks nothing. Until yesterday morning someone offered €10. That made sense, but she withdrew, messaging her husband found back his old work stool. Okay... Well glad they didn't get it. Something better happened. Yesterday evening another bid of 10 came in and I was able set the deal within hours with a pick-up appointment for this morning. Very young man came to my door. First looking with admiration at the craftsmanship, but saynig the pictures had showed that already. Handed me the cash and then the story came. He was going to do a complete restoration to serve as a doorstep for a camper. A Christmas gift for his friend who just bought the vehicle (second hand I presume if the gadget was missing).

I can see him right now sanding and maybe filling up cracks. I agree with Gregg Koepp from Not Buying Anything that bringing gifts just for the sake of bringing a gift is wrong. To bring your love and yourself means most. But in this case, someone putting sweat and time into something that a friend actually needs, makes a beautiful story. Made my day!

Merry Christmas to my readers!