Musically Inclined

When I got married I had a pretty high bar set for me, but I knew this when Jess and I were dating. There is a list of things that would make me a more amazing man in the eyes of my wife, so far I've got cooking and an artistic eye. Being a stellar shopping partner comes and goes. Yet there is still room to grow. Improvement points are earned through tasks such as learn a Romantic language fluently; take Jess to Disney World, the Bahamas, California and fishing in Mexico; be a great father (which in itself is a huge life challenge) and I'm sure I'm missing some here...but this list would not be complete without "Learn to Play Guitar".

Now, I'm down with most of the list, and guitar could be fun. But the more I look into the musical world and enjoy the multitude of sounds to be created I'm continually drawn to whines and groaning of the fiddle. Not the proper sound of a violin, but the raw feel of a fiddle. I was tempted to fall more towards a banjo to slightly appease Jess' thoughts of a guitar. Much as I love the twang of a banjo, it's still a bit much for me. Banjo's also seem to be a bit much for anyone unless accompanied by a full band. I also don't have enough space to store a stand-up bass.

I've tried the instrument thing once and never stuck with it. I've never really stuck with much, at all. I'm an activator, I get things started except for parties. I don't get parties started. Sorry P!nk. I have a shelf of started books, very few finished. This is the reason I haven't bought an instrument. I don't want to have that "one more thing" that sits and looks at me saying "Well, at least you tried." I want to hear "Well done! Wasn't that fun? Let's do it again soon." Those are words that I love to hear, not just from the inanimate objects in my life. I love to hear my family and loved ones express joy in activities they share with me, regardless if it was my idea or not. To take on the idea of heaven on earth, these things stir in me a hint of what I really long for.

"Well done my good and faithful servant."

I think I'll start by finishing a current read "Uprising" by Erwin McMannus. Started it months ago. I think it's time to push forward. Jess, I love you, but I may have to set the guitar on the back burner for a bit...assuming you don't hear poorly played versions of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" creaking out from the guest room first.