15 February 2009
Please, call me Edward
Fifteen years ago if you would have told me Myron McClain would talk to me as a friend, I would have accused you of ingesting some sort of illegal substance, but he does now and I appreciate it.
For those of you who used to read my thoughtless posts on the bulletin board site, you occasionally saw me try (though poorly) to crush Gary Miller when he would say he never needed to meet anybody and therefore my main reason for attending the AFA convention, meeting other farriers, was a frivolous reason.
Years ago at the AFA convention in Portland, my friend Dan Subaitus literally ran to catch Edward Martin in a corridor of the Red Lion Inn to visit with him. I should have gone with, because unknown to me at the time it would be the last opportunity I would have to meet the man. Anyway, Dan came back with a big smile, told us all how Edward had remembered him from the shoeing shop at Disney World where Dan had done his apprenticeship and how Edward had said "please, call me Edward" when Dan had Addressed him as Mr. Martin. It was something Dan and I would talk about even 2 years ago when I last visited him.
Everyone I know who knew Edward, never referred to him as "Mr. Martin." Don Gustafson has always said "Edward" as have Jean Meneley and Pat Gallahan, Fran Jurga's headline on the hoof care blog was "We've lost Edward" so I am certain that they got the same "please, call me Edward." To me at least that shows graciousness that usually seen only in senior members of my trade.
Like I said, I never met Edward, I never heard him lecture or saw one of his demonstrations, I did once get to hear him lead a group of tone deaf farriers in the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" once which I sure will rattle the rafters in Chattanooga at this years AFA convention and as well it should. I am sure that his friends will come together and celebrate his life and the life of Allen Smith who passed away at the end of last year.
People touch us even though we don't realize it, the little pieces that they leave with people we know or have yet to meet carry memories of stories or advice that they share with their friends. What Edward left with me through his friends, was be nice to everyone, you never know when you might shoe a horse for them.
For those of you who used to read my thoughtless posts on the bulletin board site, you occasionally saw me try (though poorly) to crush Gary Miller when he would say he never needed to meet anybody and therefore my main reason for attending the AFA convention, meeting other farriers, was a frivolous reason.
Years ago at the AFA convention in Portland, my friend Dan Subaitus literally ran to catch Edward Martin in a corridor of the Red Lion Inn to visit with him. I should have gone with, because unknown to me at the time it would be the last opportunity I would have to meet the man. Anyway, Dan came back with a big smile, told us all how Edward had remembered him from the shoeing shop at Disney World where Dan had done his apprenticeship and how Edward had said "please, call me Edward" when Dan had Addressed him as Mr. Martin. It was something Dan and I would talk about even 2 years ago when I last visited him.
Everyone I know who knew Edward, never referred to him as "Mr. Martin." Don Gustafson has always said "Edward" as have Jean Meneley and Pat Gallahan, Fran Jurga's headline on the hoof care blog was "We've lost Edward" so I am certain that they got the same "please, call me Edward." To me at least that shows graciousness that usually seen only in senior members of my trade.
Like I said, I never met Edward, I never heard him lecture or saw one of his demonstrations, I did once get to hear him lead a group of tone deaf farriers in the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" once which I sure will rattle the rafters in Chattanooga at this years AFA convention and as well it should. I am sure that his friends will come together and celebrate his life and the life of Allen Smith who passed away at the end of last year.
People touch us even though we don't realize it, the little pieces that they leave with people we know or have yet to meet carry memories of stories or advice that they share with their friends. What Edward left with me through his friends, was be nice to everyone, you never know when you might shoe a horse for them.
Labels: Dan Subaitus, Edward Martin, Fran Jurga, Myron McClain
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Tom, Edward lives. There are so many ways you can still get to know him, through videos and audio tapes, for instance. He has left quite a legacy, but most of all by teaching many in the farrier community to be friends as colleagues, first and foremost. I am sure his legacy on the shoeing of draft horses will survive...but hope fervently that his legacy of friendship will too.
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