Spring, 1976. I had desperately wanted to learn to play the guitar. My parents, geeks that they were , made me take classical lessons. I was working in a store in the mall, and there was a music store there. They got in an Ovation 12-strainged guitar. I totally fell in love with it. I dragged my dad to the store- he had me show him that I could play it, and I begged him to get ot for me. It was $600, which was a total buttload of money in 1976.
A few days later, Dad told me that if I read 12 books over the summer- REAL books, then he would get me the guitar for my 16th birthday. I had just discovered boys and TV, and he was afraid I'd beconme a vegetable.
So, I did it. I read 12 books that summer. I can't remeber all of the books I read, but I got hooked on books and to this day would rather read than do anything else.
My dad died in July. I don't play my guitar as often as I used to, but I played it tonight a bit, and thought about my dad. I'll never be Leo Kottke- but everytime I open that guitar case, I'll think about my dad, and be grateful to him for starting me on a lifetime of reading.
That’s a sweet story. My condolences on your loss. My dad died a little over two years ago, and I know those first few months after such a huge loss aren’t easy. It’s good that you can remember the happy memories.
I remember Dad teaching me to play pool. And Ping Pong.
I remember how proud he was that I was a “big shot executive who traveled the world.”
I remember he worked hard to feed us, even if he didn’t earn much.
I remember Mom and Dad becoming addicted to Ms. Pacman when I gave them an Atari for Christmas one year - and how he would get up in the middle of the night to practice so that he could beat Mom the next day.
I have so many good memories of a good man.
Dad passed away December 3 2003 of Emphysema.
**katie1341 ** I am so sorry for your loss. But remembering is good. Thank you.
My dad and I were always at loggerheads about something as I grew up. But I can never repay him enough for teaching me to read and love reading at a very early age, and for teaching me through the example of his life about honor and integrity.
That’s why, to this day, I still cannot play Dan Fogelberg’s “Leader of the Band” without choking up. Katie, if you want to pay tribute to your dad, learn that song and play it on a regular basis.
, made me take classical lessons. I was working in a store in the mall, and there was a music store there. They got in an Ovation 12-strainged guitar. I totally fell in love with it. I dragged my dad to the store- he had me show him that I could play it, and I begged him to get ot for me. It was $600, which was a total buttload of money in 1976.