Gemotions

The typed list from his grandfather sat on the kitchen table. “Build a birdhouse” was the very first item. Daniel, a city dweller, had always considered himself unskilled. Yet, as he stared at the list, he experienced a strong surge of excitement, a feeling that had been missing from his life.

He bought wood, a hammer, and nails. His fingers got sore, and he got frustrated as he worked. But with each nail hammered and each piece of wood joined, a sense of satisfaction grew.

When the birdhouse was finally complete, imperfect but solid, he felt a powerful sense of accomplishment. It was an awkward, beautiful thing that reminded him of a man who’d tackled challenges with his own hands.