It was back in 1990 when I was involved with children’s Sunday school in my (then) church when I decided to take up playing the guitar. Over the years I had always had a secret yearning to play an instrument and particularly a guitar but I never did. I came close once when I was 22. I was out looking for a place to eat with my work buddy and we came across a shop selling musical instruments. We saw a lovely guitar and I was tempted to buy it but failed to do so. Looking back, that was a mistake because it was 23 years later that I bought one and it was much harder by then to learn. However my heart was set on learning even it was only for the children at church. So I learned to play a few cords and the children loved it. After a year or so I was invited to join the church band but I still had lots to learn. I stayed in the band for about six years. I persevered and practiced every day and gradually became competant or reasonably so. I left that church in 1998 and then I had nowhere to play my guitar. I played for personal pleasure and have done ever since. I took a backward step and left off playing for five years in 1999 but resumed playing again in 2004. That is a total of 16 years playing now and I am so glad I continued with it because it gives me great pleasure and is very relaxing. I own a Fender accoustic guitar and it appears to be the envy of those who see it. I took it in for repairs to the ‘nut’. For those who are not guitarists, the nut is the band of ivory/plastic over which the strings pass as they leave the machine head…the part where the adjustments are made. While it was in the shop other customers wanted to buy it. Yes I love my guitar and now play it every day when I am able.
Shirley Anne
