A Sign from Above!
by Thom Van Vleck
Underneath an Anvil shaped sign in Lindsborg, Kansas
I like challenges. I guess that’s why I lift weights. For the past 30 plus years I’ve sat down with paper and pen and wrote up countless workout routines, set goals, and made plans. I also have traveled far and wide to meet with the best, learn from them, and been inspired by them. I have also looked from inspiration from things around me for my lifting. This could be something I would want to lift, but it could also be something that would inspire me to train harder and lift more!
Recently, I was in Lindsborg, Kansas with my family after competing in the McPherson Scottish Highland Games. My wife and I both have some Swedish ancestry (her being one quarter Swedish) we wanted to go by Lindsborg and soak up some of the Swedish atmosphere….and food! While we walked around I saw the sign in the above photo. Back in the day, most people couldn’t read so shop owners would have signs that told you what they did by their shape as much as by what they said. Did you know that barber poles represent veins and arteries because barbers used to draw blood to remove “bad blood” back when people thought that would cure their illnesses? Blacksmiths would, of course, use an anvil!
I like anvils. If you don’t know the story of Grandpa Jackson’s anvil then you probably don’t know me. But just in case, I have an anvil that’s been in my family for 4 generations and lifted by all 4 generations….maybe more! I know it’s at least pre-Civil War, who knows. But more importantly, it was the inspiration for my grandfather to begin lifting weights, that led to my Uncles lifting, and me and the many, many lifters that came out of the Jackson Weightlifting Club. So, when I was walking down the street, this sign inspired me. It was symbolic of a trade, but it has become symbolic of strength, hard work, and do-it-yourself type attitude.
Now, it’s funny when I mentioned this, John O’Brien stated that when I had ideas, he often ended up getting hurt. But in this case, I was just thinking about making a sign for my gym like the one above. Because I want my gym to be symbolic like the anvil. Symbolic of hard work, sweat of your brow, can-do, and self determination. So, this was a just a sign for most walking by, but for me…..it was a sign from above!