The Magical Guitar
In early years my love for listening to/ watching live music led me to learning how to make music. I’d rarely play my guitar around others- I couldn’t play every note in a song, but with a trusty capo and mutilating wrong chords I did anyways! haha.
I’d usually play while sitting around a camp fire or during a drunken jam night.
I didn’t know that 4 months after taking this video was the surprise BT surgery…
Guitar Raffle #1 – Music Fest
After surgery, because of coordination on my right side, I couldn’t play my guitar anymore. I hated walking by my dusty guitar feeling such heartache and shame. I couldn’t take it anymore- my guitar had to go- but only to a good home.
Thanks to Markham Village Music Festival Chair (Judi McIntyre) and Music Coordinator (Kevin Ker) I was able to secure a spot at the festival right beside a stage to raffle it off! All donations went to B-Strong (a BT Charity) and the local Arts Council.
It was a huge success! $810 raised!
Wow! And, I bid adieu to my guitar to a nice guy named Rod. I remember he had a big smile on his face and said “I never win anything!’- that warmed my heart. It made it to the right hands!
Rebecca (bottom left) was a volunteer representing the Arts Council who was incredible at working the crowds, selling raffle tickets. Its always warming to meet young people who you can see potential they’ll go as far as they want in this life. Another great person (also from the Guinness Story) Kevin Ker (bottom pic, middle) was another great person to connect with. He was supportive and introduced me to some of the ‘music community’.
Would you believe, about 1 year later the guitar was donated BACK to me?! What!? The winner (Rod) said he bought a raffle ticket just to support me- that he learnt how to play it a little, but then decided to donate it back.
Although elated of seeing my love return home, I knew I couldn’t keep it- and once again needed to send it off with style….
Guitar Raffle #2 'Spring Sprint' Event
Admittedly, my soul was tired… just 9 months after full head/spine radiation I assembled a team of close family and friends to do the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada‘s ‘Spring Sprint’ event. This was a special moment as I had relearned how to walk again, and was able to walk the 5K independently along with those I loved the most. Everyone who donated $27 or more were automatically entered into the draw to win my guitar!
Thanks to team “Day By Day”, we raised $1,853 for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada!
The winner was a wonderful man I knew from my local Public Speaking (Toastmaster) group, Eric C! Incredible! This was particularly special as had grown close to many members for the past year- preparing me for giving speeches, and the recent health drama just brought many closer. I was tired ….of being tired, and this helped.
I surprised Eric with the news that he won the raffle by asking him to meet me at the local Coffee Shop to help me with a speech for our group. I told him I was recording so can play back later. *teehee*. Moms in the background, watching it unfold.
It was about a year later when Eric surprised me in a Toastmaster meeting by showing he learnt how to play 1 song:
‘Day By Day’ by Doug and the Slugs. He sat me down in front of the room, sat across from me and played it in front of everyone, following a speech honouring my story.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
What happened shortly next?
HE DONATED THE GUITAR BACK TO ME!
…..SERIOUSLY!?!?
Guitar Raffle #3???
The say ‘third time’s a charm’. My guitar was now worth over 2 thousand dollars!! ($2,663, but who’s counting?!). I attempted to raffle it off while helping break a world record. Yeah, you read that right. …