I'm grateful today for just about the nicest birthday present I've ever received. I took a friend to Blue Lion Instruments today. She is facing a long, snowy winter and decided she needed a dulcimer to keep her company. Bob and Janita are 2 of the nicest people I know, and we had a great time, listening to them both play a little. At one point Janita brought out her bass dulcimer as I'd never heard one played. Oh my, what a great, sexy, gutty sound!
My friend decided to buy a dulcimer and while they were concluding their business I was playing around with that bass dulcimer, just intrigued with the sound, and thinking to myself, boy, I wish I had one of these to just fiddle with for a while to see if I could learn to play it well enough to want to own one.
Just before we left, Janita came out with a dusty case. In it was a gorgeous bass dulcimer, fretboard beautifully inlaid from top to bottom, and with that same great bass-y sound. She handed it to me and said, "Why don't you babysit this for us for a while. We made it for someone who eventually decided the dulcimer wasn't really the instrument for them and they returned it. Play it until a buyer comes along."
I was stunned, and...grateful isn't even the word for it. To have a wish--a musical wish involving an instrument!--granted so instantly still takes my breath away. I'm not a very skilled dulcimer player and I dont know if I can work out anything with a bass, but I am excited to have the opportunity to try and with such a beautiful instrument.
I am grateful for the loan, grateful for such generous trust, grateful for the friendships that music has brought to me. I feel very lucky tonight!