Trusty Old Friend

I like stuff. I probably have too much of it. A combination of sentimentality and worry I won’t have something when I need it? Makes sense that my two favorite types of things are useful things and things attached to memories. 

This is my Leatherman. It’s been with me since 1993. Sometimes I use it like a fidget, spinning the lanyard loop with my thumb or absent-mindedly opening and closing it. 

I’ve taken it around Mount Hood and Three Sisters Wilderness. I had it during my summers leading mountain tours in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It has been my savior on countless road trips. I’m pretty sure I used this Leatherman to pinch flat every barbed hook in my fly fishing box.

There was one warranty repair, when I used the plier as a pry bar. Leatherman graciously repaired it for me. Now, 32 years later, user error will be my own expense. Fair. If you look real close at the photo, you can see I didn't learn my lesson.

Twice, I thought I lost it. The first time, I just put it away in the wrong spot. The second, I left it at a job site. Panicked, drove back and found it under the refrigerator I was repairing. I did lose the original sheath. Rather, I don’t have the original sheath; I gave it to someone.

I like this Leatherman, but I cherish the memories of all the places we’ve been together and the people who came with us.