Crafting our stories in February

February has been full of stories about everyday kind of moments.

There was a pretty typical Monday…

(supplies: Ali Edwards “thicker days” and “encouragement bubbles” , Studio Calico “Arendal” Scrapbook Kit, Citrus Twist Kits “Stories” pocket life kit )

followed by a holiday Monday (the best kind of Monday!!)…

(Supplies: Ali Edwards “Valentines Journal Cards” , Citrus Twist Kits February “Sprinkles” )

and a haircut.

(supplies: Ali Edwards “Craft” Digital Story Kit, “Craft” Story Kit, Studio Calico’s “Arendal” Scrapbook Kit, One Little Bird’s “Cheri” papers, Citrus Twist Kits “Stories” Pocket Life Kit, and the cork paper is one I’ve been hoarding forever from an old Crate Paper collection “Story Teller – Archives”)

This story isn’t just about a haircut though. This is a story about passion. That man in the photo cutting Liam’s hair is Gus, proud owner of “Gus and Son”. Gus just turned 90 years old (!!) and has cut the hair of 4 generations of Baldwin men. Now THAT is a man who has a passion for his craft! Here’s what I want to remember about him:

This photo will without a doubt be remembered as one of my most favourite photos ever, not just because it’s awesome (it is seriously awesome!), but because it will always remind me of the day I met Gus. At the age of 90 (yes 90!!), Gus has now cut 4 generations of hair for the Baldwin men.

I’ll never forget walking into “Gus & Son”, a little 2 chair barber shop on King Street that I’ve passed by so many times before. It was like stepping into a time capsule, with photos pinned to the walls that easily go back to the 50’s. We walked through the door and were greeted with the most wonderful smile from Gus and his son Lou, and stories about how he had given Brett his first haircut, and how he had cut his dad’s hair, and even his granddad’s. 

I watched in awe as he gently combed and cut Liam’s hair. He spoke so gently, with a heavy Italian accent as he worked. I sat and I watched and I tried hard to soak it all in. Because there is something special about this place, and there is ABSOLUTELY something special about this man!

I can’t think of any greater way to live than with passion for what you do, and that is so clearly Gus!! You can hear it in his stories, see it in his smile, and feel it just being in the room while he works. He is awesome. And when you know how rare it is to get to meet someone who has found their passion and lives it everyday, even at the age of 90, you feel humble in their presence. You want to sit and watch and listen and learn, and you hope some of that magic will rub off onto you.

As we got our coats on to leave, Gus smiled at us and said with such sincerity, “you have a beautiful family”. And I knew it was true. Because after 90 years, you definitely know a thing or two about what is beautiful.

The part that didn’t make it into the story was how badly Emily wanted her hair cut too, and Gus’ son Lou played along, giving her a little trim. She was ecstatic   🙂

Thank you so much for stopping by today!