I mentioned that I have almost 8 grandchildren now. Well, they range in age from the 14 year old who is a candidate for acne treatments to the nearly-born son of my oldest son.

The 14 year old is a musician. I mean a real musician. He plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and violin/fiddle. While he does play in the school orchestra, he also plays in the string quartet, at a local bluegrass get-together on Saturday nights and is a member of the local fiddlers’ association. He seems to be able to pick up and play any stringed instrument almost by instinct. He has had private lessons, which gave him the mechanics and form. But now he is playing from the heart and for the sheer joy of it, which makes the music so much better.

His parents don’t have to prod him into practicing or learning new songs. In fact, they have to rein him in a bit or this is all he would do. He continually searches the internet for new instruments and new sheet music. I think he’s going to go places with this gift and talent.

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