When Will I Grow Up?

Last night we played at LaVerne's Farmer's Market.
It was cold. Well, it was in the fifties, but for playing outside - that is cold!

We set up, played a set and then took a break.
Two small boys wandered up to me...staring at my guitar. Very shy. The braver of the two approaches me and asks, "What kind of guitar is that?"
So I sat with them and we talked shop.

I remember as a child doing the exact same thing. Being attracted to the band at any event to which my parents went. Trying to broach any subject with the band just to be close and talk music.
It didn't matter if it was a one man band, or a piano bar. I just wanted to be with them.

So I sat and talked to these two with a huge grin on my face.
"You want to try her out?" I asked.
The light in this kids eyes lit the whole world for a moment or two. He strummed a chord...his hands were so small. And then tried to hand it back to me. His repertoire exhausted.
"No, hold it for me, please?"
"Here, try this chord."
For a brief ten minutes I was repaying a debt I had incurred years ago. And it brought me so much joy.
Would that all debts be so good for the soul.

I have such profound respect for those who truly love to teach.
And last night just reinforced that respect, tenfold.