The Knife Sharpener

One of the advantages of having a generic blog like mine is the freedom to write about what I choose and when I choose. About a year ago, I was thrilled with the experience of finding a good barbershop in my neighborhood and shared my joy with a blog post. In a similar vein, I wanted to write today about a wonderful gentleman who happens to sharpen knives at the Campbell Farmer's Market every Sunday.[gallery ids="849,851,850,853,852"]A few weeks ago, the little guy had observed this knife sharpener in a section of the Farmers market. I had seen him a few times in the past but just chosen to ignore. This time, the curious toddler decided to walk up and watch the man in action. Now, the sharpener, whose name is Jeff was not handling a customer at that moment. He saw this little dude walking up to him and decided to take the time to show him his setup. For the next 5 minutes, my son was enthralled as Jeff explained every part of his setup. Unsurprisingly my son was thrilled to bits. For a non-paying customer's 4 year old to get an unasked for 5 minute tutorial on knife sharpening was something unexpected to say the least.This past Sunday, my wife gave me one of her knives saying it needed to be sharpened. Hearing this, the little guy was reminded of his experience a few weeks ago and excited to say the least. We went to Campbell Farmer's Market and Jeff was at his usual place. The little guy walked up to him and requested that "his" knife be sharpened. Jeff  didn't remember us- he probably talks to a dozen such kids every week. But his demeanor was no different this time. He explained every single step of the process to a wide eyed 4-year old kid. Every single step in as much detail as possible. Much of it probably went past my son's head. But it didn't matter. Jeff explained everything. It was fascinating for adults who were gathering for this impromptu tutorial but Jeff's focus was all on the youngest member in his audience.Our knife sharpened, I paid and was ready to leave. But the little guy wasn't  He had noticed two sharpening benches and only seen one in action. He wanted to see the other. Jeff waited for the next customer and for the little guys sake, used the second setup even though it was more work and slower rig for his task. Along the way, Jeff explained the nuances of his two benches, kinds of knives he works on, his other tools of the trade laid out on the table and what not.It was a master class not just in the process but in patience and in how to demystify even the most complex of things to a 4 year old. And I was enthralled. Jeff had taught me a lesson in so many ways - on patience and attention to a toddler. On giving a 4 year old the importance he felt he needed and most importantly, with a smile all the time we were there. The little guy cant wait to meet Jeff again, and honestly, who would blame him.This world isn't that bad after all. In fact, it will do fine and continue to do so as long as folks like Jeff are around.P.S: A personal shout out to Jeff's business. Doing it voluntarily. He doesnt even know me. But for what he did the other day, this is the least I can do.