Christmas Day, Mom tells me she forgot to give me one of my presents the night before. Our family tradition is to open gifts on Christmas Eve.
I thought I’d had a great Christmas already, but she sent me out to the garage to “unwrap” one final present.
“It’s the big box over in the corner,” she said.
The first thing I thought was, “Oh great, more exercise equipment,” because I have no more room in my basement. I’ve already got an elliptical, a treadmill, and some Pilate contraption. Then there are the dogs’ cages along with two shelving units full of Christmas decorations, an end table with a TV on it and four racks of CDs and DVDs.
See? Filled to capacity.
So, using a paring knife, I got to work on opening the box. On one side, it read, “Esteban Guitar.”
“Esteban Guitar? Who the heck is Esteban? And why would I be getting his guitar?” I mumble to myself as I continue cutting tape on the box. If it was a guitar, then its purchase, to me, seemingly came from left field.
Then again, Mom’s been on me for the past several years to get back into music, which I enjoy immensely. I’d played trumpet in junior high and high school, participated in jazz band, sung in choir, girls’ choir and swing choir.
Then, in the early ’90s, I did some musicals with Logansport Civic Theater. I was a member of a chorus in “Jesus Christ, Superstar,” “Mother Superior” in “Nunsense II” and Crystal in “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Since then, I only sing in the shower, around the house or in my car.
So, knowing how much I love music, Mom was trying her best to get me back into it. She’d encourage me to sing in the community choir when it performed, “The Messiah.” She tried to get me to attend church and sing in the choir there. She tried to revive my interest in civic theater. But I was non-responsive.
Finally, she found a solution. She was watching either QVC or HSN when the “Esteban Guitar” was advertised. And that’s how the big box ended up in her garage.
Once I got all the tape off the box, I opened it up and there was a soft case in the shape of a guitar. And inside the case was a beautiful guitar called, “Midnight Moon.”
Naturally, it’s midnight blue and has these stars painted on the front that sparkle when held at a certain angle. And on the back, there are more stars and a full moon setting over the ocean. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
Then, a thought occurred to me that I don’t know how to play, only how to pick a few chords and strum.
But that Esteban — a famous guitarist, I discovered on Google — thought of everything. Also in the box are 10 instructional DVDs with none-other-than Esteban himself serving as the instructor.
Now I love that guitar, and I’m having a blast with it. I’ve only watched one DVD, and in it, Esteban quickly moves his fingers up and down the neck using the first string only. That’s what I’ve been practicing. And practicing. And practicing.
I have a stand that the guitar rests on, and the guitar is to the right of my computer. I can just roll around, pick it up and practice.
Thanks, Mom, for not giving up.
The next thing you know, I might just dust off my trumpet and start tooting my horn.
• Deb Saine is a columnist for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached through the newspaper at ptnews@pharostribune.com.
Local Columnists
Related Photos
Discussion
Esteban? Who’s Esteban?
- Local Columnists
-
-
de la Bastide: IndyCar had right idea but wrong execution
There’s an old saying “don’t throw the baby out with the bath water” and it fits the ongoing discussion since Saturday night’s twin Firestone races at Texas Motor Speedway for the IZOD IndyCar series.
-
Americans should stand up against proposed mosque
Local Columnist Joe Bowyer writes about the proposed mosque at ground zero.
-
Winamac High School opening doors
Local columnist Dave Kitchell looks back at the last 100 years.
-
A good idea for shrinking the government
Local columnist Joe Bowyer talks politics.
-
General Baden-Powell founder of Scouting
Local columnist Richard Copeland writes about the foudner of Scouting.
-
Hoarding habit not easy to break
I don’t think I’d qualify as a hoarder.
A slob, sure; but a hoarder? No way.
Hoarders are in a league unto themselves. And if you don’t believe me, watch an episode of TLC’s “Hoarders: Buried Alive.” -
Absence says something, even if school board doesn’t
Is she or isn’t she?
That was the line one hair product manufacturer once used to promote a women’s hair color product.
For the past week, that question could be asked in the Logansport Community School Corporation Administration Building. -
Christmas has become too rushed
Local columnist Tony Thomas feels people should remember to enjoy the anticipation of Christmas.
-
Horseshoe champion crowned
Local columnist Dave Kitchel looks back at headlines from the last 100 years.
-
There is always a ‘put’ to make up for every 'take'
Local columnist Joe Bowyer reflects back to his childhood.
- More Local Columnists Headlines
-
de la Bastide: IndyCar had right idea but wrong execution
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
