Just wanted to share an experience that just happended at our house a few hours ago. Yesterday I gave my 9-year old son an old Aurora LTV-A7 Corsair that had been sitting unbuilt in my attic for years. We were sitting at the kitchen table where I am also trying to super-detail a kit (hopefully in time for the Nats. in Phoenix in '04), when my 17-year old daughter comes in and sits down, and proclaims that she wants to model also. I had an old Academy Hummer that she really liked that I gave to her some time ago, so she proceeded to start on that. 10 minutes later my doorbell rings and a young man (12 years old, I think) from 2 houses down wants to play with my son. I told him we were modeling and asked him if he would like to join us. Several weeks ago I gave him a Tamiya Formula 1 Honda that I was never going to build, so he RAN back home, got the kit and sat down with us at the table. He said he didn’t have any glue or tools, but I said I had enough for everybody. This boy’s mother has been married several times, and the guy she’s living with now is not her husband. She gave her son to her folks to raise, and has essentially abandoned him; we’ve befriended him through our son. Anyway, here we all are; I didn’t get a chance to work on my kit much, but wound up helping everyone cut off parts, trim, sand, dry-fit and glue. And we all laughed and joked for a couple hours–with my family and with new friends. It is intersting how modeling can bring a family together to share in a common interest, and to reach out to those who probably have some pretty deep hurts; and just maybe some glue and styrene helped start a healing process.
Sorry, didn’t mean for this to be so long; just wanted to throw this out.
Gip Winecoff
You may not have had time to work on your model but I’ll bet you walked away from the table with a warm fuzzy feeling. Taking time to share with young people is what it is all about. I enjoy helping young kids, especially my grand daughter work on models. Maybe it is my way of giving back to the community or trying to relive my youth. It sure is a good feeling that I would not trade for anything.
I’ts good to hear that you had such a profound impact on other’s lives, as well as your own. Keep spreading the love, Gip. I wish we all could have those kinds of experiences.
demono69
Kudos Gip. You’ve made on quite an impact on the younger generation. That’s better than building many kits. [;)] Perhaps you can spur some interest into my kids. [:D]
“It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it.”-R.E.Lee
That’s great Gip,
That’s all kids need, a place to go to be involved and feel like they belong. I think it’s great of you to extend yourself in that manner.
Your rewards will be plentiful. (until they all want PE for their kits)
Enjoy it
Wow…What a great post…
Kiwi
Wow - there really is hope for the future of modelling in the playstation generation, and its name’s Gip!
Keep up the good work, with luck you’ll get time to finish your own model in time for Phoenix.
Great story, Gip… That’ll be a day you’ll always remember. And I’ll bet that little boy will too.
I think I built that Aurora kit when I was a kid. Is it an A7D with retractable landing gear? I can still picture the box-art in my mind.
Good to hear such stories, Gip. Maybe this can become a ‘regular’ event…?
Gip, that is a great story!
Those young folk are lucky to know such a kind and caring guy! (And have him for a dad!)
This is a great story Gip !!!
I’ve had a similar experience in the past and it does the heart good.
Great story. I hope it has many more chapters to it.
Just an update. The young fellow was knocking on our door at 9:00 this morning wanting to know if he could continue working on his model car. I had to tell him that he would have to wait until after supper this evening (Sat.) or tomorrow evening. He’s obviously pretty excited. My son finished his Corsair, AND an SU-85 by Tamiya this morning! He doesn’t want to paint or decal yet, just build. I told him no problem! The saga continues!!
Gip Winecoff
Gip,
That’s a great story. Kinda puts all this stuff into perpective [8)]
sniff, sniff, * wipes tear from eye * [:D] [:D]
Seriously though Gip that IS touching and absoutely GREAT to hear about!! Like you said you didn’t get much done on your model but you accomplished a whole lot in that evening. I hope your kids and your sons friend stick with it and come to love the hobby. You should show your daughter the post of DJ’s daughter Tena and let her see that other girls do enjoy it too. It might help her stick with it since most teen girls have no interest in modeling.
We want to see pix of your model too btw [:D]
Eric
Man that’s cool!
Gip, not only have you given your kids the bug, but it seems like you’ve given another youngster some direction and purpose. Isn’t it funny how having some fun with a wonderful hobby can lead to being a role model? Great job, guy.
Yes,nice one. Sometimes it is about being on your own and getting immersed in that new kit and sometimes it is about giving a little of what your good at. My son was never in to the hobby but listening to the guy next door play guitar started him down that road. He ended up giving him lessons & an old guitar.My wife and I bought him a Fender for his 18th Birthday and he now at 26 is a journalist for a rock music magazine and plays in a semi professional band. You never know where your good deed will end up.
Good news Gip.
You have now become an ambassador for the hobby to the young.
Keep up the good work.
I was just at a model show this week end and almost went blind from the gleems in the little kids eyes when they were checking out the kits on the tables.
Get them away from the video games and they might find a whole new world of fun…
Hi ya stryrene …
Gip … you are a lucky guy !!! Great story … thanks for sharing … keep us posted !!! [^]