Hi Bill,

What a nice topic! Very welcome, too!

I look back on my life and divide it into three stages: growing up; the working years; and finally, the retirement years.

My "growing up" years began in December 1929. Those were the days before TV, stereos, calculators, computers, jet airplanes, keyboards, Nintendo, skateboards, air conditioned cars, 33 rpm vinyls, 45 rpm vinyls, 8-track cassettes, stereo cassettes, CD's, Disneyland, MGM Studios, Universal Studios, supermarkets, shopping malls, cell phones, and a whole host of other modern day gadgets, services, and innovations. They were also the days when: pop singers had a voice; pop music had a melody; parents took responsibility for their children; patience and tolerance were the norm in personal relationships; God and prayer were still in our schools as well as national and local governments; you didn't sue your neighbor if your child stubbed his/her toe on the neighbor's driveway; people took pride in the way they dressed and were courteous when driving a car; local mayors took pride in displaying a beautiful nativity scene on the steps of the city hall at Christmastime. I could go on and on. What was I doing during this period? Learning from my father how to work and take pride in my workmanship; going to school to receive a good education; delivering newspapers before and after school to earn enough money to buy my first trombone; playing games in the street with my friends until 10 or 11 o'clock at night without fear of being mugged, raped, abducted or murdered. Yes, life BEFORE my keyboard was wonderful!

During my "working years" I travelled the world. Travelling was without a doubt the finest education I could have hoped for in terms of how to become a better, more tolerant, more caring human being. Yes, life was good BEFORE my keyboard.

My "retirement years" have arrived. I am doing my best to make the most of those years. My attitude is that learning does not stop at retirement. Life is a natural progression from growing up years through working years and on into retirement years. It is seamless. I began my life getting an education and have continued learning throughout my life. Buying a keyboard and taking lessons is a continuation of the learning habit. Yes, life is good AFTER buying my keyboard.

I wish everyone on our forum happy playing and success in whatever each of you choose to do with your lives.

Warmest Regards, Chuck