The christmas mandolin

**Gail Hester** · Dec-15-2007, 7:37pm

The Christmas mandolin represents our story of personal family heartbreak, coping and healing. #I want to share it in hopes that some will find it uplifting as I do.

Back in May, my Step-Son Charles was killed in action in Iraq just days before his 24th birthday. #You can imagine that this has been a difficult and challenging time for our entire family. #Of all those that have done so much to help us cope none have shown brighter or helped my husband more than Charlie’s older brother Danny. #Now both boys have played the guitar since they were very young and had both started playing the mandolin more recently. #I had always intended to build a namesake “Hester” mandolin for Charlie and Danny someday but as a builder it seems that you are always struggling to meet commitments to paying customers and it’s difficult to fit a gift mandolin in the schedule. #A few weeks ago I decided that a new mandolin was the most appropriate Christmas gift for our Son Danny not only to acknowledge his loving support but in some way to ease the ache of never having the opportunity to build one for Charles. #I started the “Christmas Mandolin” a few weeks ago and have been working almost around the clock on it along with the other mandolins in my current batch.

Here are a few pictures and we’ll see if I get it done in time. #He likes A-styles so this will be an HA4. #The top wood is some fantastic sounding Sitka, the back is Red Maple both from Bruce Harvie.

**Gail Hester** · Dec-15-2007, 7:38pm

The rim.

**Gail Hester** · Dec-15-2007, 7:40pm

This is always one of the most nerve racking steps.

**Gail Hester** · Dec-15-2007, 7:43pm

So here we are on December 15th. I'm off to glue on the headstock overlay and cut some pearl. This will be varnished so I'm running out of time.

**JEStanek** · Dec-15-2007, 8:17pm

Good on ya', Gail. That really looks fine as it's coming along. I hope you and Danny find it therapeutic in the making and playing. Are you planning something special for the headstock or going with beauty in simplicity?

Jamie

**Bill Snyder** · Dec-15-2007, 8:25pm

Gail your work is stunning. There are some incredible instruments built by the truly talented luthiers that frequent the pages of the Mandolin Cafe, but I must say your version of the A-4's is amongst my favorites.
I imagine this will probably be the most special instrument that you have ever built. I am sorry for your loss. I am also thankful that there are young men and women like Charlie who are willing to serve our country. I have nephews serving in the army and my middle son has already taken his oath and will report to recruit training to be a Marine as soon as school is out this spring.
May the Lord bless you and Charles, Sr. and Danny.

**Stephanie Reiser** · Dec-15-2007, 8:37pm

What a nice present from a mother to a son, and the story behind it.
And what an inspiration.

**Skip Kelley** · Dec-15-2007, 9:37pm

Gail, your work is amazing! You are impressive as well! You are in our prayers for your loss. My son came home from Iraq in June. We are so thankful for the men and women who serve! God bless your family and Merry Christmas!

**Michael Lewis** · Dec-15-2007, 11:15pm

Gail, thanks for the story, and the inspiration. I imagine the music this instrument will play will enrich many lives. It is a bittersweet tale that flavors life so deeply.

**jim_n_virginia** · Dec-16-2007, 8:39am

Gail I suspect this mandolin will be a treasured family heirloom. One can only guess how many times it will pass in your family from mother/father to son or daughter to even maybe a grandson or grandaughter.

**violmando** · Dec-16-2007, 8:48am

God Bless you all and that special heirloom mandolin; I hope making it is part of your healing process.

**jaco** · Dec-16-2007, 9:46am

Great story Gail. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful holiday season.

**rimspoke** · Dec-16-2007, 10:17am

THAT IS SAD & HEARTWARMING AT THE SAME TIME .
I KNOW THAT THE CHRISTMAS MANDOLIN WILL BE THERE TO REMIND YOU
OF YOUR LOSS AND BRING HOPE TO THE FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS .
I CAN ALMOST HEAR THE MUSIC NOW .

THAT IS SOME REMARKABLE WORK AND YOU ARE DOING IT SO QUICKLY !

IS THAT A GIBSON GUARANTEE LABEL OR DID YOU HAVE IT REPRINTED ?

**jim simpson** · Dec-16-2007, 1:19pm

Looks likes it says: Hester Mandolin

**Dale Ludewig** · Dec-16-2007, 2:07pm

Gail,

I'm speechless. (Almost) It will be a wonderful mandolin and the sound it makes will keep memories alive. It will be a gift to those that hear it, even if they don't know the story. The world needs more of this, IMHO.

P.S. Don't rush the finish. All in its own time.

Dale

**Mando Medic** · Dec-16-2007, 3:21pm

Gail, You really touched me with your story... Thanks for sharing it. You're the best. Kenc

**JeffD** · Dec-16-2007, 4:30pm

What a wonderful story.

**Gail Hester** · Dec-16-2007, 4:35pm

Thanks everyone for your wonderfully kind comments. You continue to encourage and inspire me.

The label is more whimsical than a copy but I wanted it to look old and printed it on 100 year old paper. It has only Hester mandolin references on it along with an inscription to our son Danny.

Here's a picture cutting pearl. I'm having my pearl laser cut these days but my order is late and I have to cut this the old way to get it done in time. I am wearing a mask.

**CES** · Dec-16-2007, 5:23pm

Wow--

First of all, thanks to your son and to all soldiers who have fought and are fighting to protect our way of life...my grandfather, who was a Marine Raider in WWII and is still one of the greatest men I've known, worries about our country because of our selfishness, complacency, etc...men like your son give him (and me) hope because there are still men like my grandfather fighting for us!

Secondly, your tribute is moving and potentially timeless...to second Dale's advice, take your time where time is needed. Whether it's ready by December 25 or not, Danny will feel the love, pain, and soul you're putting into this!!

Merry Christmas,

**ash89** · Dec-16-2007, 9:24pm

that's so beautiful gail, and so many thanks for sharing...

words would never express your true feelings, and the healing comes with time.

to see your hands giving over love to the instrument...very moving.

be well.

**PaulD** · Dec-17-2007, 11:23am

That is a touching story Gail. It's unfortunate that we get so busy trying to deal with the day to day stuff that we figure we'll get to our loved ones later. I'm very guilty of this and sometimes have these "wake-up" moments where I decide I need to walk away from some project that I've decided was urgent and take time with my kids or step kids. Unfortunately I don't do that often enough but your story has given me another wake-up. I'm sorry to hear you missed the opportunity to make a mandolin for Charles but I'm sure he knew how you felt about him... and that's what it's really all about, isn't it?

As others have stated, your work is stunning and I'm sure Danny will treasure this gift for the rest of his life. Thanks for sharing both the story and the work in progress pictures, and my most sincere condolences go out to you and your husband.

Paul

**ab4usa** · Dec-17-2007, 5:58pm

Gail,

Thanks for sharing the story. I'm sure the mandolin will be wonderful but more importantly, it will be a work of love for Danny as well as for Charlie.

**Gail Hester** · Dec-18-2007, 1:13am

Thank you again. Having the support and kind thoughts of all my mandolin friends is helping tremendously.

I had hoped to be applying the stain today but I'm not quite there. Tomorrow for sure.

Here are a couple pictures of my progress. The first is applying a straight 12 inch radius to the fretboard.

**Gail Hester** · Dec-18-2007, 1:17am

Here is the latest picture of the mandolin. I will finish shaping the neck and glue it in tonight. Tomorrow there will be lots of raising the grain, sanding and maybe applying some stain.