…Paint cans. Paint cans of every size lined the shelves of the workshop. With each can we opened a growing sense of disappointment ensued as we realized that the paint had long been dried. And then it happened- a moment that will be forever etched in my memory. He looked up from the can he was holding with a “pinch-me-‘cause-I must-be-dreaming” expression on his face. As it turned out, one of the cans was not completely dry. In his methodical testing of this particular can, he had punched through the thickened outer layer of paint to find an ample supply of lovely, shiny, black paint.
He always had the most awesome ideas. He always had a plan, a play agenda, if you will. He knew how to have fun and he planned the day accordingly. Even more impressive was the fact that he could think on his feet. And on this day, all of his creative juices melded into one impressive idea. “Let’s play Frankenstein,” he said. And I was all in. This day could not have gotten any better. We began to discuss the parameters of the game we would play and it was decided that I would be the “monster” first. The game would go something like this: As Dr. Frankenstein, of course, he would bring me to life. Then, to be fair, I would become Dr. Frankenstein and he the monster. I would reciprocate the life giving act.
I was ready for my part. I was born for this part. I climbed up on the table and stretched to my full length. I lay perfectly still, as would any good corpse. Dr. Frankenstein then began his magic. Paint brush in hand, he commenced his work. Slowly, with a steady hand, he covered his monster head to toe in the lovely black paint. I became a masterpiece. What an unbelievable time we had had up to this point! The only thing better was the thought that I would be Frankenstein next.
“But first”, he said, “let’s get you cleaned up”...
