I found the missing piece!

Throughout my life, there was one constant. I can’t imagine what my life could have become if not for it. 

Seriously, I can’t.

Every good memory I have is in some or other way linked to it. And each one of those memories are purely good. Not, good with a touch of “but then this happened.” Good from the beginning to the end.

It was such a strong presence in my life for so many years and somehow, in the last decade or more, I allowed myself to put it in the corner to gather dust (literally).

So, here’s the reveal. It's all about guitar. 

My mom had proper classical guitar lessons when she was a kid. She didn’t play as an adult anymore but she kept the book she used in the lessons. And she still had her old guitar. I was about 11 when I found the book and took it for a spin. The rest is history. Oh, but what a history it was.

Here’s the thing about me. I don’t make friends easily. It usually takes people a while to like me. They have to get to know me well. It’s a weakness I’m aware of and I’m not sure how to change.

But when you sing and play, you reveal a side of yourself otherwise hidden. And, I guess, people liked that side of me. So, instead of taking months to get to know me, they would like me just after few hours. 

Another thing. Guitar brings people together. 

Picture this:

A circle of friends sitting around a bonfire. Two girls start singing songs everyone knows. Will others join them? From my experience, I’ll tell you this with certainty. They will if they already have confidence in their singing voice or if they are already drunk.

Otherwise, only the two best friends will sing and the rest will quietly listen. After the “concert” is over, the actual spending time together can begin. 

Picture this:

One friend brought a guitar and together with her best friend start singing songs everyone knows. The noise of the guitar adds courage to those who maybe would like to join but would otherwise be afraid to. Maybe the guitar will drown out how off key I am, right? They sing and howl and scream and make fun of the songs they can’t possibly sing. Everyone is a part of it. It’s not a “concert.” It’s “having fun.”

That’s the difference! That’s the guitar difference! It brings people together! Better friendships. Better memories.

And so that’s my momentous realization. Guitar has been my friend maker. My fun maker. My loneliness cutter and emotional shoulder to lean on. It can be that again. It can be more.

Who knows, maybe I can share this with others? I’d love to make an impact. Help.

But most importantly. I want to make guitar part of my life again. 

This is important.

I need to make this happen.

This is good. I’m on a journey to rediscover myself. I need this. Only good is left to come.