Uncle John was the first person to ever show me a Navajo rug. It must have been in 2001 when I last visited Dave and John at their home and studio in Hood River, Oregon. I dont remember exactly what the rug looked like, but two details from this experience stick out. First, the rug had been in Uncle Johns family for a few generations, so this was a special, treasured family heirloom. Second, he explained to me that some Navajo craftspeople deliberately wove mistakes into their work in order to release the weavers spirit. This particular rug had one. Some people refer to this as a weavers path or a spirit line. In essence, a part of the weavers soul is introduced into the rug itself. The weavers path is a way for the weavers soul or spirit to escape the work when it is finished. In that manner, the soul never risks becoming trapped in the work. It was only thanks to Uncle John that I had ever seen or heard about this. Uncle John was one of the kindest and happiest people I have ever met, happier and kinder even than his husband, Dave. John had indeed a happy spirit. He was also an artisan, and I would like to think that he put his soul into every work. I dont know if he deliberately sewed or introduced mistakes into every piece in order for his soul to escape, but I do like to think that a part of his happy spirit was always in there at some point. We miss you, Uncle John. And we love you, Uncle Dave. In courageously caring for your husband during his final years, you have continued a Wishart and a Bender family tradition. And in taking your husbands name, you are an inspirational pioneer. We are so exceptionally proud to now call you David Wishart. Thank you for taking care of our Uncle. With love and great sympathy, Joshua, Camilla, June and Beatrice Bender Alvestaboda Grd, Sweden