As I crouch down, working to fix my son’s stroller, I can’t help but think back to all the times I watched my dad and grandfather tinker with their own tools. They were fixers, always working on something, and they made sure I learned to appreciate the value of doing things myself. A loose screw or a broken hinge wasn’t a problem—it was an opportunity to figure things out, to learn, and to take pride in the work.
Now, here I am with my four-month-old son, and he’s gripping a screwdriver, watching intently as I reach for it. He doesn’t understand what it’s for yet, but I know that in these small moments, we’re continuing something bigger. It’s not just about fixing things—it’s about passing down the mindset that there’s always something worth figuring out.
I think about the time my dad showed me how to change a tire for the first time. I didn’t realize it then, but I was learning more than just how to twist a wrench—I was learning how to face challenges head-on, with a calm mind and the right tools in hand. And one day, I’ll be the one teaching my son those same lessons.
As I take the screwdriver from him, I smile at the thought. He’ll grow up surrounded by tools, both literal and metaphorical, and while he may not understand it now, each of these moments adds up. The satisfaction of solving something with your hands, of seeing something fixed—it’s a feeling I hope he’ll come to know just as well.
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