Neil,

I think that's the best thing you've ever published on FAOL. It's wisdom is "sufic," containing layer after layer like an onion - each as meaningful as the one before. Materialism, family, gratitude, appreciation of that which is lost, the value of symbols/talismans, "the tools don't make the carpenter - the carpenter makes the tools," and generational transference are all themes we see keenly displayed in this short story. Well done!