Many of you know that I play mandolin...no surpise there. But I also own an older (and cheaper) Kay 6 string as well. It was my Uncle's back in the 70s that he learned to play on when he started the Comune life here in the Pacific Norhwest making the migration from California--different story. Anyway, it was sitting in its case (which by the way cost more than the guitar is worth) for quite some time, then I put it in my spare room in a rack where no one ever saw it. Well, a couple of months ago, my mother passed away after a short fight with Liver Cancer. During one of our last conversations she told me and my step-fatther that we should get together on the porch and play together as he is a guitar player. It is important to note here that although they have been married for 28 years, I have never heard him play although I new he was a player. After that conversation I brought the guitar down and put it in my living/music room with my mandolins. Since then my step father has come over a couple of times (he lives 2 hours away) and each time he has picked up the guitar and started playing. This last time, he was with my college aged daughter and was teaching her how to play and explaining chording. I watched from the stairs and couldn't help but think that my Mom was looking down and was smiling at the sight. It brought more than one tear to my eye I have to admit. While he and I still haven't played together--I am sure that it is comming, I think that this cheap old guitar is really helping us all to heal.
A Story of the Start of Healing
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 Michael Tognetti |
A Story of the Start of Healing |
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Posts: 1091 November 6, 2009 07:38:59
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omegaman41658 |
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Posts: 1644 November 6, 2009 09:32:53 BGMF Owner & Founder "Fame is but a fruit tree" Nick Drake
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Fantastic story about an old guitar bringing people together unexpectedly. It reminds me of Neal Young's 2007 (?) dvd release from the Rhyman Theater,
where the entire production utilizes an old guitar, old relationships and old collaborations as a central theme which brings it all home. Neal had a known to
him aneurysm lurking at the time and mastered that production anyhow. So heroic that was as he was facing radical brain surgery.
"This Old Guitar"
This old guitar ain't mine to keep Just taking care of it now It's been around for years and years Just waiting in its old case It's been up and down the country roads It's brought a tear and a smile It's seen its share of dreams and hopes And never went out of style The more I play it, the better it sounds It cries when I leave it alone Silently it waits for me Or someone else I suppose This old guitar This old guitar This old guitar This old guitar has caught some breaks But it never searched for gold It can't be blamed for my mistakes It only does what it's told It's been a messenger in times of trouble In times of hope and fear When I get drunk and seeing double It jumps behind the wheel and steers This old guitar ain't mine to keep It's mine to play for a while This old guitar ain't mine to keep It's only mine for a while This old guitar This old guitar This old guitar This old guitar This old guitar This old guitar This old guitar This story you tell us is touching, I have experienced liver cancer's hasty wrath to someone near to me, but not the loss off a parent. I am very sorry for your loss and hope that your old guitar continues to bring the spirit of your beloved mother to your family for as long as you have that Kay with you.
Last Edited By: omegaman41658 November 6, 2009 09:57:27.
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ragtime man |
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Gatekeeper Slope Shoulder
Posts: 2054 November 6, 2009 09:47:35
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Sounds to me Michael that the guitar is not a cheap guitar at all but instead a very valuable guitar. There is more to worth than what something was sold
for. This guitar is bringing together family, holding memories from your mother last days here on earth, and passing on traditions of playing from one family
member to another generation family member. Imagine also what it is doing not only for your daughter but your step-father as he heals from his loss and may
also know he is doing something that his wife suggested in her last days.
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Tele |
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Posts: 771 November 6, 2009 11:33:09
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Thanks for sharing that story Michael. I'm sure it was hard for you. It sounds as though the pieces are in place for that "cheap guitar" to be as
valuable as your Mother intended. I think Rags is spot on. As usual.
It bears repeating, that value is defined by our existence and perception. I believe "good" is defined as what is useful for each of us to grow in life. It may not be what we want, but its not what happens to a man that defines him. Its our reaction and response to the trials and tribulations that defines us. Always. I know you to be a good and kind person Michael. I can see you standing on the stairs watching the scenario play out. I believe your Mother was there watching through your eyes. I wish you Shakti. "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" |
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 Fingerpicker |
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Posts: 2797 November 6, 2009 14:45:55
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The eloquence of the three before me says it all. I think perhaps we should refer to them as the three wise men in the future.
Your story made me tear up a bit Michael and think of some things I haven't thought about for a long time that needed to be thought about. Thank you. Don't wait too long to play together Michael... edit: added another "o" to the "to". "You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." ~ C.S. Lewis
Last Edited By: Fingerpicker November 6, 2009 19:09:27.
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Wilee |
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000
Posts: 399 November 6, 2009 17:49:51 |
Michael,
That is a wonderful story. As a long-married husband, stepfather, and grandfather I find it to be especially touching. Thank you so much for sharing it. You're a good soul. Thank you to the rest of you for the additions. WileE |
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MandoSquirrel |
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Posts: 1850 November 6, 2009 19:07:14
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Fingerpicker wrote:Amen to all that.
Elrod's :
Mandolins; Breedlove Cascade; Victoria, B&J New York ; Washburn 215 bowl back, cr.1906-07; Flatiron by Gibson pancake(in hospital for neck surgery). Guitar: Guild D-25NT. |
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Michael Tognetti |
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Posts: 1091 November 6, 2009 21:36:25
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I truly am not sure what brought me to write this story this morning. I was just sitting around the hotel room waiting for the last day of my conference to
start and all of a sudden it was there. I am normally a very private person so this was a bit out of character (to share it) for me.
Thank you to "The Three Wise Men" for your sagely words and thoughts, I am truly touched--they are an inspiration. To Fingerpicker, Wilee & MandoSquirel the fact that you were so moved to remember situations both curent and past somehow make sharing this somehow all worth it. You're a great group of people and someday maybe we will will get together and raise a glass and toast those who shapped us and made us who we are. |
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ragtime man |
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Gatekeeper Slope Shoulder
Posts: 2054 November 6, 2009 22:40:24
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Michael Tognetti wrote:As one of the three you are welcome. The part about wise I am not sure about at least for myself. I look forward to raising the glass and toasting thosde who shaped us. Here, here. ragtime man |
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ragtime man |
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Posts: 2054 November 6, 2009 22:44:23
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Tele wrote:So very true Tele. You are right on which of couse is where you always are. ragtime man |
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Portland Rain |
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Posts: 1114 November 7, 2009 00:23:35
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I guess I'm late to this one. Great story Michael, and I agree with what everyone else has said. What a great moment for you. Music is such a great
catalyst for so many important moments like that. Where else can you get that kind of interaction? I hope that guitar stays around forever for you.
PR "All Music is the Blues. All of it!" --- George Carlin |
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Ratkity |
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Posts: 502 November 7, 2009 10:30:18 |
I loved your story, Michael. I think when it comes to family, there's no such thing as a cheap old guitar.
After reading your story, I had to smile fondly at Grandpa's restored guitar - currently hanging on my wall (ever waiting to be played). It has so many cool memories and just the restoration of it brought back many smiles, not just for me, but for my aunt as well. I created a storybook album that is a bound photo album with photos I've taken and a written history of all the instruments in our family, including the before and after picts of the restoration of Grandpa's (her father's) guitar. She said the storybook is dog-earred from her looking at all the pictures I took of the old violin, her Vega banjo, the Dixie banjo, the little beat up Martin uke, her father's guitar and all my guitars. Every penny I spent restoring that guitar was worth it to hear my aunt tell me stories about her father and knowing I how happy I made her when I gave her the photo album. Thanks again for a great story! I have a feeling there is going to be more to your story in the future. Hugs, Ratkity |
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