Wood and Metal Modern Mobile | Mark Leary Designs

“This alphabet,” explained gray wolf, “does not contain letters or numbers.
It holds the space for you and me.
So please be careful with the words you choose.”

Mobile: Untitled
Size: Approx. 21” tall x 27” wide
Material: Metal + backyard harvested live-edge laurel wood, gently shaped and dry finished

Thoughts while making: I was quiet as a kid. “Why don’t you say anything?” my mom’s mom would ask at the dinner table. “You’re such a #doof,” she would say … which didn’t help, especially since I was scared of her. 

Many years later, I came to learn Gramma was a writer, among many other things. We started corresponding when I was in college. I don’t recall why. But the small stack of handwritten and dot matrix letters are among my greatest treasures. 

Although wracked with pain, she would write about gambling at the casino, kids wearing baggy pants, @TacoBell (the only thing she would eat at 83), and to tell me something she never said in person. 

In one of her last letters written in April many years ago, she closed with “I have a feeling this is not going to be a long letter because I am shaking and I can’t type very well. You don’t have to answer this because it is more of a note than a letter. I just want you to know that I love you and I miss you.” 

Today, I’d encourage you to use your words, and use them care-fully and well.