Many moons ago, and I do mean many, my late husband and I would attend as many bluegrass festivals as possible. We especially enjoyed the gatherings at Glen Rose, Texas because it was a camping park and we could take our camping trailer and park for days so we could be at home there and get our fill of all that pickin' fun we wanted. Spring and Fall, it was a delight day and night to listen to different groups like Jim and Jesse, The Lewis Family, and many others.
We were so inspired by all that music, we decided maybe we should buy ourselves a couple of instruments so we could pick and grin at home whenever we wanted! So I got a really nice guitar and my husband bought a banjo and we found a good teacher. Well, he was a very good teacher, but I confess, we weren't the best students. There was plenty of pickin' going on, but it just didn't sound quite like we had imagined and it would probably be years of practise before it would.
Practice did not make perfect in this case!
Nah! We gave it up. Our dream to become the Sonny and Cher of bluegrass faded away! And after my husband passed away, I gave my guitar to someone who could actually play it, and stored the banjo away in the closet.
Fast forward about thirty-one years now. I'm looking in the closet and thinking, why is this still here? Shouldn't someone be enjoying this? But I don't know a soul who can play or even wants to play the banjo. Maybe I should post on Facebook? No. Craigslist? No.
One day a couple of weeks ago, a few of us were just visiting as we got things ready for our Bible study to begin. As we talked, I don't know what prompted me, but I just blurted out, "Hey, does anybody know of anyone who might want a banjo?" My sweet friend, Erin, spun around with the biggest smile on her face and said with a hearty YES!!! My daughter has been wanting a banjo and to learn how to play!" Well, what do you know? I brought it to her and she was so excited. She is a student at Texas A & M and here she is, folks!
9 comments:
Ah, I love this! I hope you will be able to hear her really play it someday! That was really special! Hope you are feeling better this weekend (the eye?) Have a blessed weekend.
How wonderful that banjo gift was to the girl! I played guitar in high school and early adulthood. I eventually gave it away to my son whose guitar had seen better days. He used it to lead praise and worship for quite a while. A few years ago I bought another guitar, hoping to get back to playing it. Now, my fingers and hands are too arthritic to be able to reach the chords so I gave it to a family at church. Now I'm learning to play a dulcimer I can set on my lap. Wonderful! Have a great day.
Nonnie, I liked the pictures. You are so cute playing your guitar. My oldest daughter had one and played a little. My grandson Brock plays and says he will get his daughter Layla a guitar soon. She's 1 1/2 now. LOL. I love that you found someone really interested in the banjo. What a blessing giving it to that sweet young girl. Hope you are having a great weekend, xoxo, Susie
That's a great story. So glad that the banjo found a good home. Music has been a real joy to me, even though I wasn't a very good piano student!
Your story brought tears to my eyes.....
Perfect timing!
Oh my goodness, how I love Bluegrass music. I even took clogging lessons once! Seems like the banjo got a worthy new home!! Awesome.
We love Bluegrass music...smiles...I am so glad your young friend is wanting to learn how to play. I left you a message on the blog---I think I don't show up anymore because I am private...no biggie...I'll check in when I can. smiles
What an incredibly special thing to do with the banjo, and it is just like God to work in such an amazing way! It would be wonderful to hear her play the banjo someday too. Hope your eye is better! Have a lovely weekend :)
It's so awesome how God worked that out!!! Our grand-boys love music and the oldest one has a banjo. I so want him to learn how to play it 'cause it's one of Nannie's favorite instruments (I can't play a lick). Happy SONday! (oh, and thank you sooooo much for always stopping by and leaving such encouraging comments....that doesn't go unnoticed)
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