Making a Difference in the World One Pen at a time

When the pandemic started, I was hospitalized and wasn’t aware of what was going on. When I got out I knew that I needed a hobby so I bought a lathe. I had no idea how to use it and knew that you had to be very careful or I would end back right in the hospital.

After a month of trying many different types of setups and processes, I finally figured out how to make a pen. I watched a few YouTube videos and read magazines trying to figure out the process.

I live alone and it can get lonely spending many hours by yourself. But when I start making a pen, the hours go by so fast. I feel so close to my grandpa who was a wood worker and to God. It is my own spiritual practice. When I am making a pen, I just feel connected to spirit.

I decided that what I can do during the Coronavirus is give people pens. It is my way in the world to make a small difference.

So I started with my 13 team members at work, my family, my friends, the workers at the bars that I attend, my counselor and the admin, and workers at my apartment. Anyone who has been instrumental in my life has been getting a pen. It is just a small way that I can spread cheer in this world. It is also my way of stating that I appreciate them.

And the most amazing thing has also occurred, when people get the pen some of them write me a thank you note on the very pen that I made them. So I can’t save people in the hospital or be out in the day to day fighting the coronavirus. But what I can do is spread joy through making pens for people and give it to them.

Yes, I will start selling them. But I truly find joy in giving people things. Especially pens, because everyone always needs one. Thank you for letting me share.