The author does like to from scratch, ruclips.net/user/postUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. As another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us don’t have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we won’t be able to practise the full stack project, is still great.
Love the work you put into the bench. That's a piece that will be argued about for many, many years! It will require its own section of a will in the future as to who gets to keep it. You did a very nice restoration for starting and finishing what you had to work with!
I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying! Seriously, this is one my favorite videos on your channel because it is 100% from the heart. The joy you brought your Mom is so heartwarming.
HI Jason - I've been meaning to make a general comment for quite a while now to tell you that I've been watching your channel from nearly the beginning and how much I enjoy your content. After this episode, I felt compelled. Eugene is one of my home towns, and I fought fire out of Blue River for many seasons and agree - that whole stretch along the McKenzie River is so beautiful. I have crew friends who lived along 126 who lost everything after the Holiday Park fire like your mom. My wife and I watch your posts together and we both commented how devastating and heart felt this episode was, but also hopeful. Having seen how Blue River was wiped off the map, it was especially poignant to hear your family's story. We both say thanks for great woodworking, great commercial endorsements and for sharing all the genuine things that make you great! Give Bourbon Mom a hug from us!
I lost my mom last Saturday, it's the worst. Anything I ever made, she was so impressed, she thought I was the greatest woodworker, I am far from that. I was just in the process of starting her a new bench for the front porch. I loved how much your mom loved the bench. Anyone that has the chance, go give your mom a giant hug for me
I’m so sorry for your loss. Mom hugs are the best, I really miss my Moms hugs. I was in the middle of making my Mom a stained glass window box when she passed, I never finished it. I hope you finish yours.
It is so horrible that the only two things in life that are guaranteed is that we are born and that we die. At my Grandmothers funeral I was asked if I could speak being the oldest out of 9 Grandchildren (15 if you include Great Grandchildren). I knew I would get emotional but out of nowhere I was overcome with emotion as she lost her battle to cancer after beating it 3 times before. "Mary Ann was a blessing to us all and a warrior to look up to for so many people. I know all of us here can agree. I am going to keep this short aside from the story I spoke about earlier. I called Grandma up as soon as I found out the news to be reassuring stating that she was going to beat this like she had done 3 times before and there was something different in her voice. It was not that she was not thankful for the call or the comfort but it was in her words very sternly stating, "No sweetie, I am done." It was at that point that she was truly accepting of what was to come and that she was ready. Over the phone she talked about her life and all that it had to offer and everything that she cherished. She said that it was not that she could not fight anymore but just that she did not want to because she was ready. Over and over she just kept saying that she was ready. Now I do not think that any of us here are ready or ever will be ready for what has already happened and passed. However every day I am going to remember that she was and I will forever take comfort in the fact that she was ready even though I never will be."
Being a firefighter, I see way too often the emotional destruction fires cause. It is very cool to see that you were able to save something. Your work is outstanding and I have learned a lot from your channel & I thank you for that. Keep doing your thing and I wish you the best.
Who knew - you Really Are A Mr. Softy. That was a magnificent rebuild of the damaged places bench & that your mom recognized it immediately (Heart Thump Time). Beautiful.
I'm so sorry, I also had a difficult experience of a fire in my house and unfortunately I got involved myself, but thank God it passed, it was a very difficult day in the hospital and the pain I endured.❤
I think we all are touched by what your Mom and your family went through, due to the fire. Getting into the driveway and see that everything that you had all worked so hard to build, was gone, must have been immensely devastating. Even though it’s not the same, I think we are all happy to hear that you found a new place, and that the old bench has risen from the ashes as a Phoenix, to take its place at the new river house for year to come. That work is a beautiful tribute to your Mom and to your family, as a memory of the old river house for many years to come 🌹
After living in St. Thomas through hurricanes Irma and Maria and seeing the devastation, thank you for your documentation of what Mama Earth can do. And thank you for your positivity and inspiration that the devastation isn't the end.
I'm so sorry you all lost your lovely river vacation home and all of your mother's treasures. Very happy that you all were not hurt. I love how you restored the bench. When the wood patinas it's going to be even more beautiful. I have a bench like it with the animals but it isn't an antique. I purchased it from Lowes a few years ago for my toddler great niece to sit on when she came to visit me. Now, it's sitting in my garden near the paved path to our back patio waiting for my new grandson to be old enough to sit on it. Funny, we did his nursery in a jungle theme and used that forest green paint on his accent furniture. 🙂 Your mom is so lovely and you look just like her.
Wow. Jason is actually sentimental. Who knew? Husband, dad, son and amazing woodworker. This is a trophy I guarantee every other kid didnt get. You deserve it. PS your videos are great. 🏆⭐👍
I am a firefighter and appreciate this video and your story so much. We do our job trying to assist people on their worst day. I have been part of our critical incident stress team and have dealt with many traumas related to property loss, personal injury and experiences with the various calls that my co-workers have attended that can accumulate as PTSD. I am so sorry for the loss of that cabin/home and hope that the future is rebuilt and the dreams of the kids and experiences can be realized.
I've been through two house fires -- the first was when we had a chimney fire in my childhood home (the chimney ran just outside my bedroom and happened while I was in the Marines). The second happened during the Flood of '97 in Grand Forks, ND, where fires ravaged the downtown area while the streets were flooded in four feet of water. This video hit hard. My wife and I lost so much in that second fire, and I still look for tools I lost. The only thing we were able to recover was a spoon (I still have it). Thank you for this, and I loved your mother's reaction. Peace!
very touching, Jason. My mom lost her house and all her things to a fire as well, it was a total loss. Just like you, I looked for anything that we could salvage and try to restore and bring back a little piece of her memories but came up short. This is beautiful and a true testament to the love you have for your mom. Love all the work that you do.
Fabulous video, i been a Volunteer Firefighter for 30 + years. Forest fire are very unforgiving. The bench looks fantastic. Sorry for all the beautiful work, that was lost.
At first , you made me cry, But at the end with your cute mom, I found my self smiling.. You really did a great job.. Thank you and my God bless you and compensate you with a better and nicer river house soon to make new memories for years to come 🙂
I too have had a house fire, we were able to get it put out before a total Thank you for sharing your project with us. Jason, you gave your mother and family a memory that will last forever. The best to you and your family!!!!!!!
As an Australian, I can tell a few tales of family that have lost everything in wildfires. To save something that can be restored is a labour of love that will endured for posterity, more of the test of time so that your grandkids can enjoy sitting on the bench and you, like your Mum, can share pleasant Family memories.
As a fellow Aussie, this brought back memories from the NSW bushfires in 2019 and then the black Saturday fires down in Victoria in 2009 and it’s crazy to think that I’ve been up close and personal with both of those fire storms. So glad to see something pulled from the wreckage and lovingly restored. Hopefully the new home will stand for much longer!
Perth resident here. We had a fire across the road a few years back & even with having go bags & a plan set in place the adrenaline/panic is real! My in-laws lost the back half of there house to fire a few years later which ended up being a 3 year ordeal. No Black Saturday but scary stuff non the less
That bench will be a wonderful reminder of the past and the grand children who used it. The kids will not be that small very long but the memories will persist.
I'm so sorry you and your family had to go through that! I'm glad you found something to restore! My sister-in-law lost everything when her house burned down when Paradise, California basically burned to the ground in November 2018 where 95% of the town burned and 85 lost their lives. She and her son got out in their pajamas with just a few clothes and stuff they grabbed as they ran out the door, then drove through the fire to get out.
It's the downside to living on the West Coast. Forest conservation is a big deal out there, but forest clearing is essential in preventing wildfires. If a few million acres a year aren't cleared, the deadfall basically becomes gasoline if a fire starts...
This hits really close, my friend lost his family cabin to that same fire on the same river. We almost lost our Cabin on the Siletz during that wildfire season too. It isn't about politics, tree huggers, etc it is about protecting what you love. And we need to do a better job protecting the planet and lands we all enjoy using.
Great video, Jason. Kudos for paying attention to the details and making your mom a special piece. Love what you do. Always look forward to your weekly content.
I'm sorry you guys lost everything. But what a great bench you restored and a memory everyone can enjoy. Your mother looked very happy and proud of your efforts. That is the best memory of all my friend. Thanks for sharing it with me! Love your work and what you do.
Love your content. I was in your dad's church in , OR. My mom is a friend of your mom. I've been to your house. I work in the construction industry and your "concrete" episodes always make me want to cry.
I understand first hand the devastation of wildfires. We lived through the Almeda Fire in Southern Oregon that same year. While my property survived many of my neighbors and family lost everything. We had to evacuate and didn't know until late the next day that our place survived. over 2500 homes and 600 business were destroyed in that fire. 3 years later the town is still rebuilding. so cool of you to do that for your mom. On a side note, your videos have inspired me to get back into woodworking after being away from it for over 20 years.
I always enjoy your videos, I jokingly tell my wife they are my "Saturday Morning Cartoons". This video was so timely and shocking for me. We had always dreamed of having a cabin in the woods of northern New Mexico. Ten years ago my parents bought a cabin. Last year we lost it all in the largest forest fire in New Mexico history. I literally took my dad last week to view the site after it had been cleaned. Your words echoed so much what I was saying on Thursday and Friday of last week. Lots of memories in that cabin with my family, but your 20 year estimate was what I needed to hear. We had also decided to look elsewhere for a cabin. Thanks for the view into your life & saying what I needed to hear.
Retired Firefighter (UK). having often seen the distress of lost memories, wedding photos, first toys, has made me value those things far more. The world has watched US west coast wildfires and similar events in Australia. Thankfully you still have everyone and you have bounced back as a family, I suspect stronger and more thankful than before. Other than the fact you like something pretending to be whisky, I appreciate you man
The Oregon fires were horrific! Sorry for your family's loss. I always dreamed of having a home up on the upper Clackamas River. I think you picked the perfect item to restore. I'm sure there millions of memories attached to it. Now you need to build her a full size bench to go in the yard!👍👍👍
Ohhhh, seriously man, I’m only four minutes in and I’m bawling like a baby. We live up in the Canadian prairies and I’m sure you heard about the fires that devastated Jasper this summer. While we didn’t own property or live in Jasper, it has been our family getaway spot for years. We have so many memories there! Seeing your emotion over losing your river house really brought things home. Thanks for sharing this.
We drove through there right after they reopened the roads in 2020 on our way to get married on the coast. I've seen a lot of wildfire damage over the years (hard to miss, living in the West), but this was a whole different kind of devastation, basically all the way from the state line up almost to Portland. It was sobering and heartbreaking. I'm so sorry for what your family lost, and so glad you were able to find a touchstone to carry forward into the new future you're all building. This was beautiful.
That fire stopped (with unknown hours and effort by so many people) about 3 miles from my house. I remember the first drive up the river feeling the horror of that fire. I can't imagine how much stronger that emotion would have been had I lost my home. I am glad your mom decided to stay on the McKenzie, and for what its worth, happy you were able to retrieve one small piece.
Totally unacceptable! I watch your channel to laugh and learn. Because of this video my whole tough veteran routine went right out the window. My girls rarely watch the videos I like but we all watched and cried. Sad tears at first and happy tears when Mom saw her bench. You are a good guy. I lost my Mom several years ago and I would give a year's wages to see her smile. Thanks for this video. Your Mom gave me back a little piece of mine. The things we make today are the canvass for the memories of tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me.
So sorry your family went through this but glad you were able to bring life back to something. Mothers are so very specialist, mine has been gone almost 6 years now and I miss her so much!!
This is beautiful, dude. Kudos to you for saving a great little piece of furniture, and for making your Mom happy. I lost my Mom in 2010. I'd give just about anything to be able to make something and give it to her.
I'm so very sorry you went through that. I can't even imagine the agony it must have caused to lose such a beautiful home after all the love, sweat, and now tears, that you put into it. I'm so glad you were not there when it happened. Thank you for sharing this with your RUclips family. We love you! ❤
Your mom is a legend! And she knows you inside out 😂 Such a lovely gesture of yours to restore that little piece from the old river house. Something to remember and tell stories about for future generations.
I don’t want my “like” of this video to be misinterpreted. If RUclips had a “care” button, I’d have used that instead. The loss of a house is one thing. Seeing all your hard work and labor of love go up in smoke is another. Losing keepsakes associated with your late father… devastating. Sorry for your loss. Your resilience is admirable.
Your obvious love of family and woodwork shine through 😊 its so sad to lose everything in a fire. Im in fort McMurray Alberta Canada. The majority of the town of 70,000 people burned to the ground in 2016. You and family lost much but stayed strong , working together to preserve your memories. Tough time make Tough people. Great job on the bench. 😊
My family had a small log cabin in Montana. It was right on the river in surrounded by mountains. We owned it for 30+ years and made so many memories. The cabin never had a single remodel or improvement since it was built. It was terrible but in the best way possible. Sadly, a 100 year flood occurred and completely changed the river channel. The new river channel is right where our cabin was. The cabin, along with 8 others was swept away. Such a terrible experience so I can feel your pain!
Man, I'm so sorry for the house. I see you mum is fine and happy now. That's the most important thing. Good ideia to have the new house by a river. Start thinking of an automatic sprinkler system... just in case. Take good care of yourselves.
I remember that fire well, we lived in Junction City at the time. It was devastating for the families in many areas of Oregon that year. If you looked on the radar maps it just looked like all of western Oregon was on fire! Many animals suffered as well, I remember the animal auction house on hwy99 taking in horses and livestock that were able to make it out as I am sure many others took in animals as well. It was all hands on deck! The smoke in the valley was so dense it was like driving to work at night when it was actually daytime! 😢 I’m am so sorry your family had to endure such pain and loss, glad it was just a vacation home and not the primary residence. Be well my RUclips friend. ❤
I am very sorry for your loss. It is frustrating when something like this happens to us in our lives. but hey, we can't do anything against nature... what I wish is a lot of strength to all of you, you will get ahead overcoming any obstacle... never give up. Greetings from Argentina!!
I did something similar for a mate after the Black Saturday bushfires in Kinglake. I found a wood working vice in the ashes of his shed, it was seized and little more than a ball of rust. I soaked it in vinegar, disassembled it, soaked it some more, wire brushed it and painted it. It looked amazing. He was very grateful in his weird Asperger way.
I'm in tears! This video is really something special. Your mom is a lucky woman to have you as her son, and she obviously did a great job raising you. The bench is beautiful.
This brought me to tears😢. I have a vacation home and often think about what would happen if there was a wildfire. My father built the house by himself. I understand the emotional and physical labor that goes into restoring or building a dream home! The devastation of losing a home like this to fire is unimaginable! I am SO glad your mom decided to just rebuild down the road! Restoring this bench is wonderful! Keeping the spirit of the other home alive! A happy ending!
Jason, my mom had this exact same bench outside. It was her favorite place to sit. After she died in 2007, I wanted to rebuild it, because the wood was all rotted away. I failed, and it broke apart after just a year or two. I didn't know enough about what wood to use or how to do it right. So I tried again. I failed again. Eventually I went looking for a RUclips channel that could show me more about woodworking, and that's when I found Bourbon Moth Woodworking. I've long since given up on that bench, because honestly... I hated it, and the need to preserve it for mom wore off over time. But I find a heartwarming irony in the very bench that brought me to your channel being the bench you rebuilt for your own mom in this video.
Beautiful story Jason. Living in Australia sadly we are well aware of the devastation bushfires can cause. You Mum looks to be a real sweetie. Thankfully no one was injured or died because of the fire.
Man! The amount of work and love that went into that house! Family projects are even more special so I can only imagine how hard that hit you guys. I love the sentiment of this project.
Every year my family spends anxious 6 months watching the weather for hurricanes, wondering how many will hit us and how devastating they will be. Hurricanes can be forgiving as a feather or as punishing as steel. Waiting to see how much or how little can be saved hoping to have been spared all together is something i know intimately. I feel for your loss deeply and I am glad you had something to bring forward many memories of happy times.❤
Ah Jason that is heartbreaking to hear. Im going to admit to having tears in my eyes at the beginning (have paused before you reveal to your mum so i dont have to tey and type with wet eyes) My wife and I hope that the new memories will go some way to healing the old memories and maybe do an insta story doing a walk around the new property. Thanks for being amazing and we already knew you had a soft loving side (looking at what you do for your amazing family in past videos) but this cemented you in our hearts and millions alike. ❤🇬🇧🇺🇲
You shared your family's painful loss with quiet grace. The bench is a wonderful momento to the joy you all had in the lost vacation house. It will witness new chapters of your family's love and life.
![Hunxho - Ball Forever [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nki9ZTF9Uls/mqdefault.jpg)
The author does like to from scratch, ruclips.net/user/postUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. As another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us don’t have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we won’t be able to practise the full stack project, is still great.
For me, that was your best video I've seen. I love your dry humor, but your obvious love for your mom shines through. Keep with your mission.
I can only agree.
Love the work you put into the bench. That's a piece that will be argued about for many, many years! It will require its own section of a will in the future as to who gets to keep it.
You did a very nice restoration for starting and finishing what you had to work with!
I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying!
Seriously, this is one my favorite videos on your channel because it is 100% from the heart. The joy you brought your Mom is so heartwarming.
HI Jason - I've been meaning to make a general comment for quite a while now to tell you that I've been watching your channel from nearly the beginning and how much I enjoy your content. After this episode, I felt compelled. Eugene is one of my home towns, and I fought fire out of Blue River for many seasons and agree - that whole stretch along the McKenzie River is so beautiful. I have crew friends who lived along 126 who lost everything after the Holiday Park fire like your mom. My wife and I watch your posts together and we both commented how devastating and heart felt this episode was, but also hopeful. Having seen how Blue River was wiped off the map, it was especially poignant to hear your family's story. We both say thanks for great woodworking, great commercial endorsements and for sharing all the genuine things that make you great! Give Bourbon Mom a hug from us!
I lost my mom last Saturday, it's the worst. Anything I ever made, she was so impressed, she thought I was the greatest woodworker, I am far from that. I was just in the process of starting her a new bench for the front porch. I loved how much your mom loved the bench. Anyone that has the chance, go give your mom a giant hug for me
I’m so sorry for your loss. Mom hugs are the best, I really miss my Moms hugs. I was in the middle of making my Mom a stained glass window box when she passed, I never finished it. I hope you finish yours.
You made me cry... I am so sorry about your mom... This is life my friend, my God bless us and bless our beloved😪
It is so horrible that the only two things in life that are guaranteed is that we are born and that we die.
At my Grandmothers funeral I was asked if I could speak being the oldest out of 9 Grandchildren (15 if you include Great Grandchildren). I knew I would get emotional but out of nowhere I was overcome with emotion as she lost her battle to cancer after beating it 3 times before.
"Mary Ann was a blessing to us all and a warrior to look up to for so many people. I know all of us here can agree. I am going to keep this short aside from the story I spoke about earlier. I called Grandma up as soon as I found out the news to be reassuring stating that she was going to beat this like she had done 3 times before and there was something different in her voice. It was not that she was not thankful for the call or the comfort but it was in her words very sternly stating, "No sweetie, I am done." It was at that point that she was truly accepting of what was to come and that she was ready. Over the phone she talked about her life and all that it had to offer and everything that she cherished. She said that it was not that she could not fight anymore but just that she did not want to because she was ready. Over and over she just kept saying that she was ready. Now I do not think that any of us here are ready or ever will be ready for what has already happened and passed. However every day I am going to remember that she was and I will forever take comfort in the fact that she was ready even though I never will be."
Cq❤😂😂😂
Being a firefighter, I see way too often the emotional destruction fires cause. It is very cool to see that you were able to save something. Your work is outstanding and I have learned a lot from your channel & I thank you for that. Keep doing your thing and I wish you the best.
Who knew - you Really Are A Mr. Softy. That was a magnificent rebuild of the damaged places bench & that your mom recognized it immediately (Heart Thump Time). Beautiful.
I'm so sorry,
I also had a difficult experience of a fire in my house and unfortunately I got involved myself, but thank God it passed, it was a very difficult day in the hospital and the pain I endured.❤
I think we all are touched by what your Mom and your family went through, due to the fire. Getting into the driveway and see that everything that you had all worked so hard to build, was gone, must have been immensely devastating.
Even though it’s not the same, I think we are all happy to hear that you found a new place, and that the old bench has risen from the ashes as a Phoenix, to take its place at the new river house for year to come. That work is a beautiful tribute to your Mom and to your family, as a memory of the old river house for many years to come 🌹
After living in St. Thomas through hurricanes Irma and Maria and seeing the devastation, thank you for your documentation of what Mama Earth can do. And thank you for your positivity and inspiration that the devastation isn't the end.
I'm so sorry you all lost your lovely river vacation home and all of your mother's treasures. Very happy that you all were not hurt. I love how you restored the bench. When the wood patinas it's going to be even more beautiful. I have a bench like it with the animals but it isn't an antique. I purchased it from Lowes a few years ago for my toddler great niece to sit on when she came to visit me. Now, it's sitting in my garden near the paved path to our back patio waiting for my new grandson to be old enough to sit on it. Funny, we did his nursery in a jungle theme and used that forest green paint on his accent furniture. 🙂 Your mom is so lovely and you look just like her.
Wow. Jason is actually sentimental. Who knew? Husband, dad, son and amazing woodworker. This is a trophy I guarantee every other kid didnt get. You deserve it. PS your videos are great. 🏆⭐👍
A woodworking video with a story. FANTASTIC!!!!!!
I am a firefighter and appreciate this video and your story so much. We do our job trying to assist people on their worst day. I have been part of our critical incident stress team and have dealt with many traumas related to property loss, personal injury and experiences with the various calls that my co-workers have attended that can accumulate as PTSD. I am so sorry for the loss of that cabin/home and hope that the future is rebuilt and the dreams of the kids and experiences can be realized.
It is said that a good son makes a great man and father and you sir are a good son!!!
My heart sank hearing this story. I hope the new river house becomes just as special as the last one.
I've been through two house fires -- the first was when we had a chimney fire in my childhood home (the chimney ran just outside my bedroom and happened while I was in the Marines). The second happened during the Flood of '97 in Grand Forks, ND, where fires ravaged the downtown area while the streets were flooded in four feet of water. This video hit hard. My wife and I lost so much in that second fire, and I still look for tools I lost. The only thing we were able to recover was a spoon (I still have it). Thank you for this, and I loved your mother's reaction. Peace!
very touching, Jason. My mom lost her house and all her things to a fire as well, it was a total loss. Just like you, I looked for anything that we could salvage and try to restore and bring back a little piece of her memories but came up short. This is beautiful and a true testament to the love you have for your mom. Love all the work that you do.
I get wanting give your mom something great rescued from that fire. I will do anything for my mom! You're a good man, Jason.
What a super nice gesture for mom, good on you, that’s why I love watching you 👍🏻
Fabulous video, i been a Volunteer Firefighter for 30 + years. Forest fire are very unforgiving. The bench looks fantastic. Sorry for all the beautiful work, that was lost.
At first , you made me cry, But at the end with your cute mom, I found my self smiling.. You really did a great job.. Thank you and my God bless you and compensate you with a better and nicer river house soon to make new memories for years to come 🙂
I too have had a house fire, we were able to get it put out before a total Thank you for sharing your project with us. Jason, you gave your mother and family a memory that will last forever. The best to you and your family!!!!!!!
As an Australian, I can tell a few tales of family that have lost everything in wildfires. To save something that can be restored is a labour of love that will endured for posterity, more of the test of time so that your grandkids can enjoy sitting on the bench and you, like your Mum, can share pleasant Family memories.
As a fellow Aussie, this brought back memories from the NSW bushfires in 2019 and then the black Saturday fires down in Victoria in 2009 and it’s crazy to think that I’ve been up close and personal with both of those fire storms.
So glad to see something pulled from the wreckage and lovingly restored. Hopefully the new home will stand for much longer!
Perth resident here. We had a fire across the road a few years back & even with having go bags & a plan set in place the adrenaline/panic is real! My in-laws lost the back half of there house to fire a few years later which ended up being a 3 year ordeal. No Black Saturday but scary stuff non the less
Same
You are a good son. Well done. I am certain your Mum was delighted and touched.
I'm not crying, you are 😭😭😭😭😭 Jason you are so sweet 💗
Your mom is my favorite part of this video. I loved seeing her excitement at your work, you’ll never forget that.
Your mom is awesome. She reminds me of my much loved Aunt Leonor, my 2nd mom. Thank you for a great video and for sharing your mom. Give her a hug.
That bench will be a wonderful reminder of the past and the grand children who used it. The kids will not be that small very long but the memories will persist.
"Houses are made by architects but homes are made by time"
You and you family have enough time.
Greetings from Buenos Aires - Argentina
I'm so sorry you and your family had to go through that! I'm glad you found something to restore! My sister-in-law lost everything when her house burned down when Paradise, California basically burned to the ground in November 2018 where 95% of the town burned and 85 lost their lives. She and her son got out in their pajamas with just a few clothes and stuff they grabbed as they ran out the door, then drove through the fire to get out.
The fires were so devastating. Whole towns and cities were destroyed. I’m happy you were able to salvage something, and make a new, positive memory.
It's the downside to living on the West Coast. Forest conservation is a big deal out there, but forest clearing is essential in preventing wildfires. If a few million acres a year aren't cleared, the deadfall basically becomes gasoline if a fire starts...
I just ran across your videos. This was a wonderful idea, you are a very sweet son and have a lovely mother. Your sense of humor is the best!
Wow. Mackenzie River is absolutely one of the most beautiful places in Oregon maybe the world.Your relationship with your mother is pure gold.
This hits really close, my friend lost his family cabin to that same fire on the same river. We almost lost our Cabin on the Siletz during that wildfire season too. It isn't about politics, tree huggers, etc it is about protecting what you love. And we need to do a better job protecting the planet and lands we all enjoy using.
Thank you for loving your mom and making her happy. Peace and Blessings to you and yours.
I'm terribly sorry for the Lost of the house but I'm very happy for you that you have a wonderful relationship with your mom 👍
Your Mom is a beautiful person, you are very fortunate. My Mom isn't here any more. Be very grateful young fella.
Art from Ohio
Great video, Jason. Kudos for paying attention to the details and making your mom a special piece. Love what you do. Always look forward to your weekly content.
My heart is broken for your mom and family. I am so glad you found something to cherish.
I'm sorry you guys lost everything. But what a great bench you restored and a memory everyone can enjoy. Your mother looked very happy and proud of your efforts. That is the best memory of all my friend. Thanks for sharing it with me! Love your work and what you do.
Love your content. I was in your dad's church in , OR. My mom is a friend of your mom. I've been to your house. I work in the construction industry and your "concrete" episodes always make me want to cry.
Really makes you appreciate what you have and how fragile things can be. Thank for sharing this personal part of you family. Bless you and yours.
Mum's are the best! And she loved the phoenix bench that her boy fixed up, good job 👍❤️
Well done Jason...it's always a good thing to look after your Mom.
I understand first hand the devastation of wildfires. We lived through the Almeda Fire in Southern Oregon that same year. While my property survived many of my neighbors and family lost everything. We had to evacuate and didn't know until late the next day that our place survived. over 2500 homes and 600 business were destroyed in that fire. 3 years later the town is still rebuilding. so cool of you to do that for your mom. On a side note, your videos have inspired me to get back into woodworking after being away from it for over 20 years.
I always enjoy your videos, I jokingly tell my wife they are my "Saturday Morning Cartoons". This video was so timely and shocking for me. We had always dreamed of having a cabin in the woods of northern New Mexico. Ten years ago my parents bought a cabin. Last year we lost it all in the largest forest fire in New Mexico history. I literally took my dad last week to view the site after it had been cleaned. Your words echoed so much what I was saying on Thursday and Friday of last week. Lots of memories in that cabin with my family, but your 20 year estimate was what I needed to hear. We had also decided to look elsewhere for a cabin. Thanks for the view into your life & saying what I needed to hear.
Bro I came for woodworking, was not expecting to cry. So sorry for what your family had to experience
Also, rainfall projects sighting!! Tell that man I'm in dire need of content (once all the crops are taken care of, of course!)
Retired Firefighter (UK). having often seen the distress of lost memories, wedding photos, first toys, has made me value those things far more. The world has watched US west coast wildfires and similar events in Australia. Thankfully you still have everyone and you have bounced back as a family, I suspect stronger and more thankful than before. Other than the fact you like something pretending to be whisky, I appreciate you man
Hi Jason, you are an amazing special human being what you did for your mother was truly amazing.❤
The Oregon fires were horrific! Sorry for your family's loss. I always dreamed of having a home up on the upper Clackamas River.
I think you picked the perfect item to restore. I'm sure there millions of memories attached to it.
Now you need to build her a full size bench to go in the yard!👍👍👍
A hug from mom is the best payment one can receive! Great video, sorry for your loss, looked like a great place to relax.
Ohhhh, seriously man, I’m only four minutes in and I’m bawling like a baby. We live up in the Canadian prairies and I’m sure you heard about the fires that devastated Jasper this summer. While we didn’t own property or live in Jasper, it has been our family getaway spot for years. We have so many memories there! Seeing your emotion over losing your river house really brought things home. Thanks for sharing this.
We drove through there right after they reopened the roads in 2020 on our way to get married on the coast. I've seen a lot of wildfire damage over the years (hard to miss, living in the West), but this was a whole different kind of devastation, basically all the way from the state line up almost to Portland. It was sobering and heartbreaking. I'm so sorry for what your family lost, and so glad you were able to find a touchstone to carry forward into the new future you're all building. This was beautiful.
When we see about homes lost in forest fires we so seldom hear about the heartbreak involved, so your gesture to your Mum is extra special, Jason.
Thank you for sharing this. My father was a firefighter and this made me think of him. Lots of good memories.
That fire stopped (with unknown hours and effort by so many people) about 3 miles from my house. I remember the first drive up the river feeling the horror of that fire. I can't imagine how much stronger that emotion would have been had I lost my home. I am glad your mom decided to stay on the McKenzie, and for what its worth, happy you were able to retrieve one small piece.
Totally unacceptable! I watch your channel to laugh and learn. Because of this video my whole tough veteran routine went right out the window. My girls rarely watch the videos I like but we all watched and cried. Sad tears at first and happy tears when Mom saw her bench.
You are a good guy.
I lost my Mom several years ago and I would give a year's wages to see her smile. Thanks for this video. Your Mom gave me back a little piece of mine.
The things we make today are the canvass for the memories of tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me.
So sorry your family went through this but glad you were able to bring life back to something. Mothers are so very specialist, mine has been gone almost 6 years now and I miss her so much!!
So sorry that you & your family had to go through that Jason. At least that bench will bring back some good memories for your mother.
One of your best, Jason! Family is everything.
Such a sad story, fire destroys so much. Glad you could give your mom something back. Enjoy the new vacation home!
That was lovely to do for your mother. I'm sorry for your loss and I wish you the best
Felt sad for you and your family. But the important thing is that you’re all together alive and ready to make good and new memories!
This is beautiful, dude. Kudos to you for saving a great little piece of furniture, and for making your Mom happy.
I lost my Mom in 2010. I'd give just about anything to be able to make something and give it to her.
I think this is your best video yet. Your mom's reaction made it that way. Keep up the great work!
I'm so very sorry you went through that. I can't even imagine the agony it must have caused to lose such a beautiful home after all the love, sweat, and now tears, that you put into it. I'm so glad you were not there when it happened. Thank you for sharing this with your RUclips family. We love you! ❤
The fires were so devastating. Whole towns and cities were destroyed. I’m happy you were able to salvage something, and make a new, positive memory.
This and your video about fire hazards from oily rags makes me take fire safety so seriously. Thanks for your videos.
Your mom is a legend! And she knows you inside out 😂
Such a lovely gesture of yours to restore that little piece from the old river house. Something to remember and tell stories about for future generations.
I don’t want my “like” of this video to be misinterpreted. If RUclips had a “care” button, I’d have used that instead.
The loss of a house is one thing. Seeing all your hard work and labor of love go up in smoke is another. Losing keepsakes associated with your late father… devastating.
Sorry for your loss. Your resilience is admirable.
Great video. Thanks for sharing this special moment with your Mom.
Your obvious love of family and woodwork shine through 😊 its so sad to lose everything in a fire. Im in fort McMurray Alberta Canada. The majority of the town of 70,000 people burned to the ground in 2016. You and family lost much but stayed strong , working together to preserve your memories. Tough time make Tough people. Great job on the bench. 😊
My family had a small log cabin in Montana. It was right on the river in surrounded by mountains. We owned it for 30+ years and made so many memories. The cabin never had a single remodel or improvement since it was built. It was terrible but in the best way possible. Sadly, a 100 year flood occurred and completely changed the river channel. The new river channel is right where our cabin was. The cabin, along with 8 others was swept away. Such a terrible experience so I can feel your pain!
Man, I'm so sorry for the house. I see you mum is fine and happy now. That's the most important thing. Good ideia to have the new house by a river. Start thinking of an automatic sprinkler system... just in case. Take good care of yourselves.
I remember that fire well, we lived in Junction City at the time. It was devastating for the families in many areas of Oregon that year. If you looked on the radar maps it just looked like all of western Oregon was on fire! Many animals suffered as well, I remember the animal auction house on hwy99 taking in horses and livestock that were able to make it out as I am sure many others took in animals as well. It was all hands on deck! The smoke in the valley was so dense it was like driving to work at night when it was actually daytime! 😢 I’m am so sorry your family had to endure such pain and loss, glad it was just a vacation home and not the primary residence. Be well my RUclips friend. ❤
I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's house. That's very heart wrenching. I'm glad no one in your family was hurt.
I am sorry for the loss of the property. It is great that you were able to salvage that. It turned out great.
Just watched this again after seeing the reports from Maui.
A very moving video with a positive outcome - thank you for sharing.
I am very sorry for your loss. It is frustrating when something like this happens to us in our lives. but hey, we can't do anything against nature... what I wish is a lot of strength to all of you, you will get ahead overcoming any obstacle... never give up. Greetings from Argentina!!
It is wonderful that you did that for your mother
I did something similar for a mate after the Black Saturday bushfires in Kinglake. I found a wood working vice in the ashes of his shed, it was seized and little more than a ball of rust. I soaked it in vinegar, disassembled it, soaked it some more, wire brushed it and painted it.
It looked amazing. He was very grateful in his weird Asperger way.
Never thought over of your videos would bring a tear to my eye; but here we are
I'm in tears! This video is really something special. Your mom is a lucky woman to have you as her son, and she obviously did a great job raising you. The bench is beautiful.
I am so sorry for you and your family. You are a wonderful person and a good son 💙
I Love this video! Restoring one small memory can create HUGE memories. Thanks for sharing.
This brought me to tears😢. I have a vacation home and often think about what would happen if there was a wildfire. My father built the house by himself. I understand the emotional and physical labor that goes into restoring or building a dream home! The devastation of losing a home like this to fire is unimaginable! I am SO glad your mom decided to just rebuild down the road! Restoring this bench is wonderful! Keeping the spirit of the other home alive! A happy ending!
So blessed to have your mom !
It's a great feeling to be able to make your mom happy with a project like this.
Jason, my mom had this exact same bench outside. It was her favorite place to sit. After she died in 2007, I wanted to rebuild it, because the wood was all rotted away. I failed, and it broke apart after just a year or two. I didn't know enough about what wood to use or how to do it right. So I tried again. I failed again. Eventually I went looking for a RUclips channel that could show me more about woodworking, and that's when I found Bourbon Moth Woodworking. I've long since given up on that bench, because honestly... I hated it, and the need to preserve it for mom wore off over time. But I find a heartwarming irony in the very bench that brought me to your channel being the bench you rebuilt for your own mom in this video.
Beautiful story Jason. Living in Australia sadly we are well aware of the devastation bushfires can cause. You Mum looks to be a real sweetie. Thankfully no one was injured or died because of the fire.
Fantastic. Lovely to see your mum so happy 😊
Man! The amount of work and love that went into that house! Family projects are even more special so I can only imagine how hard that hit you guys. I love the sentiment of this project.
😢 Sorry for your Family. And the other Familys in this Area. All the best from Germany.
Every year my family spends anxious 6 months watching the weather for hurricanes, wondering how many will hit us and how devastating they will be. Hurricanes can be forgiving as a feather or as punishing as steel. Waiting to see how much or how little can be saved hoping to have been spared all together is something i know intimately. I feel for your loss deeply and I am glad you had something to bring forward many memories of happy times.❤
Best video you've ever done. Thanks for sharing your story and letting us "meet" your mom.
Ah Jason that is heartbreaking to hear. Im going to admit to having tears in my eyes at the beginning (have paused before you reveal to your mum so i dont have to tey and type with wet eyes)
My wife and I hope that the new memories will go some way to healing the old memories and maybe do an insta story doing a walk around the new property.
Thanks for being amazing and we already knew you had a soft loving side (looking at what you do for your amazing family in past videos) but this cemented you in our hearts and millions alike. ❤🇬🇧🇺🇲
Jason, thank you for sharing a piece of your life again with us. It was so good to see the love you continue to share, this time for your mom.
I loved your mom! God bless her.
You shared your family's painful loss with quiet grace. The bench is a wonderful momento to the joy you all had in the lost vacation house. It will witness new chapters of your family's love and life.
Was not expecting to get choked up at a Bourbon Moth video this morning, but here I am. Loved the message in this video, Jason - Nice build!