Having interesting requests from customers was nothing unusual in our little woodworking business. We used to try to do our best to make the visions they had for special pieces of furniture come true.
One day several men stopped in. They unloaded a tire from the back of their pickup truck and rolled it into the shop.
They proceeded to tell us how this was a special tire. One that had been used on a car at one of the Nascar races and that they would like to have us make a clock with it.
They explained how they envisioned it and told us what they would be willing to pay for it.
The tire they brought along was only the first of what they hoped would be hundreds of clocks we would make for them.
The opportunity sounded great, but before my parents would commit to this they wanted to think it over.
The guys agreed, and left, leaving the tire there until they would come back to get their answer.
I was excited about the prospect. I could see myself helping with this project, and the possibility of making hundreds if not thousands of clocks … well, the math was good.
Dad and Mom weren’t that excited about it though. Race car tires! What if that would cause their children to become interested in sports or even worse, cars! No amount of money was worth that they decided and told the guys that we would not be making the clocks.
I’ve often wondered if they ever did find someone to make clocks for them, and if it was a successful venture.
Sadly for my parents, turning down that opportunity did not keep their children Amish. Though I do not regret leaving, I do feel bad for the heartache I know they have carried because of our decision.
