From childhood 'til now… What's the best Christmas present you've ever received?
Hands down, my saxophone. The one I still play to this day.
When I started band in the 6th grade, I played on a $100 used saxophone that a cousin had played many years before that. Why spend a lot of money on an instrument if a kid decides he/she doesn't want to keep going, right?
Fast forward to my sophomore year in HS, four years later and I'm still playing. I'm scoring decent marks at the District and State Solo & Ensemble competitions as well. All my friends are in band and it's a big part of my life.
One day, while I was practicing in my room, MomH comes in and takes a look at my horn and its shabby case.
Not being one who knows ANYTHING about music, she remarked, "Yeah, that's kind of old and beat up, isn't it?"
I was a little confused, because I never said anything about my horn and it seemed a little odd coming right out of the blue like that.
Christmas comes and there under the tree at my grandparents' house: A brand new Yamaha alto sax. I couldn't believe it. It was my present for that Christmas, my birthday, and a few holidays after that.
Both horns went with me to college, the old horn attending every home football and hockey game (and some away) at Michigan State, the 'new' horn going to the basketball games and playing other gigs around campus. Again, all my friends are in band and it's the biggest part of my college experience.
A few years ago, a non-profit in town was doing a musical instrument drive for low-income schools. With a little bit of sentimental sadness, I donated my trusty old horn in the hopes that another child will find as much joy and as many great opportunities just as I had.
Maybe that old sax is someone else's best Christmas present ever.
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Posted by amyhftw 
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time 
