got in touch with the man who taught me guitar when I was a child

[Bertha Venation]

Sorta. He didn't write back (yet?). But it was important to me to send him this letter. It had been part of me for decades, and it was good to get it to him finally.

Dear Mr. Baker,

I wonder if you remember me. You knew me as a 7th-8th grader at Bushard School in the ‘70s.

You taught me to play the guitar. You helped me believe that I could sing and perform, and encouraged my desire to do so. You helped me to see that I could (clichéd as it sounds) believe in myself. You taught me music, and music shaped my life.

From grade school, I went on to sing in high school and church choirs, and to lead singing at innumerable Bible studies, church services, and Sunday schools for many years. (The church thing died and I sent it off with no fond farewell, but what I learned during those years is invaluable.)

For seven years in the ‘90s I performed with a GLBT/friendly chorus in Long Beach, and there was in my prime. I’ve never had more fun, never sang better, never performed better (and I performed my ass off) than with that chorus.

Ten years ago I moved to Maryland. I didn’t sing for nine years, then last year joined a local community chorus. Pleased to learn I still had it, I found I’d joined a group that didn’t. I sang through the season with them, then bowed out.

I haven’t picked up my guitars for quite some time, and they call to me. I’ve never owned fine guitars, and have never become a great guitarist, but I’ve never forgotten my teacher.

*explanation* . . . That’s how I got your email address.

I had despaired of ever being able to thank you for the direction you gave to my life.

I have a gift: I can see how my life would be if I’d never believed I could be a musician, but more, if I’d never believed I could be a strong person. It seems your long-ago influence has touched every transition, every period of growth in my life. I don’t know how you did it, but you really did change my life. Thank you.

With my warmest regards,

Bertha

P.S. I have many, many fond memories of you, but this is my favorite: I had a classmate whose cousin (?) was Jackson Browne. He attended a talent show and when you met him, you shook his hand and said, “Jackson, you wrote my life.” Funny; I have always been a Jackson Browne fan.

[kimi]

1. I think this is so cool!

Just my personal belief - lots of folks who teach, help, serve others, never hear of the results of their efforts. Even if they don't remember every single person who they helped, it's a special thing to hear about what happened to that person and how that person's life was changed by their efforts.

This is so sweet of you. I bet your teacher will remember this letter for a long long time.

[MiddleFingerMom]

2. I agree with kimi totally...

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I bet, although there may be MANY that they help guide and inspire,
teachers really never hear that from former pupils.
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Just ONE letter like yours will tell him that his hopes and dreams
and goals when he started out in his profession were not in vain --
that there are probably more out there just like you. It would not
only make his day... it could make his LIFE!!!
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It could change his whole outlook on his life around -- reverse
perhaps ALL the disappointment and disillusionment that he may
have experienced/be experiencing. MAYBE this will be one more
letter that he receives... but I doubt it.
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I think this is a good thing that you're doing.
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I think it's a potentially BEAUTIFUL thing that you're doing.
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I have liked you from things that I've seen you post before
(how could I NOT like someone with that wonderful username).
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This one makes me REALLY glad that I know you.
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:hug:
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