The Ringing of the anvil

This past week, the blacksmith and I attended the annual Blacksmith Association of Missouri conference. 

Friday night was an emotional night for us.


In the last two months we have lost three of our members. 


At the end of the night, all those in attendance were asked to walk past one of the two anvils set up and strike it one time for each member that died. 


To see and hear nearly a hundred people walk in silence, pick up the new hammers, and hit the anvil three times brings me to tears now as I write about it, just as it did that night.

Rest in Peace

Joe Wilkinson

Ed Harper

Dave Shepard

You will be missed.


And at the fundraiser auction on Saturday night, my blacksmith purchased one of those hammers. It will always have special meaning for both of us.