I finally bought Kevin a birthday present last week, a watch. I had spent weeks trying to find the perfect gift. I wanted to get him something fantastic, but I couldn't find a gift bag big enough to package Vegas. Kevin has saved my ass when I needed design help (he's pretty brilliant) on multiple occasions, has let me off of a bet or two (not having to wear a t-shirt in public), and has indulged my love for Iowa on a couple occasions (my happy place), I had really wanted to indulge his love for his favorite atmosphere and hobby. Where better to do it than Las Vegas? That would have been the perfect birthday gift for him.... shucks.
My family is halfway big on gifts with meaning or purpose. As, I've gotten older I've discovered the potential in this. Things that my niece and nephew won't appreciate now (boring but classic books), hopefully they will think about later and realize... their aunt really put some thought into this.
One year, my Mom got me the greatest gift I have ever gotten to this day... guitar lessons! Someone in our family was going to be a musician, and my Mom really didn't care who it was. She grew up with a father who was a master at the guitar, who played in a band, and she wanted someone to replace or inherit that talent.
My Dad was lucky contestant #1, he failed. My Mom moved on to # 2, my brother. My brother also failed, because he had dreams of becoming a drummer (also my secret music instrument love). My Mom, of course, would not allow drums anywhere near our house, and decided she had one final last resort.... her 11 year old musically challenged daughter.
With careful consideration, or a form of desperation, my Mom had looked at me with curiosity. I was her one beacon of hope, a daughter with the possibility of untapped musical talent hidden under the tiny nimble fingers. Did she have grace? No. Did she have the desire to learn? Probably not, but she had an insatiable love for music... let's give it a go, she thought.
My teacher was a long haired senior in high school. I was a fifth grader. Let's step back and think about this... I was crushing hard and became distracted. He was a dream boat and my focus was not there, my brain cannot contemplate the movement between chords, when starring at your future husband. I came away with the ability to play twinkle twinkle little star, and the $100's of dollars my Mom spent on forcing lessons down my throat went to waste a long with nearly a year of time.
The gift in itself was incredible, however. I can also say that I can play the A chord over and over for you with a slight bit of ease. I can also change a set of strings pretty easily on a guitar. So, it wasn't a complete waste. Plus, I have this fantastic memory of sitting in my crush's room and watching him shred the electric guitar while I strummed my little pint size acoustic version. Hellz yeah. I win.
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