Stuff like this just doesn't happen to me. I don't win raffles. I never win contests. But this made up for a lifetime of not winning anything.
Have you ever heard of Free-cycle? It's a Yahoo Group (most cities have their own) whose goal is to help people get rid of their unwanted items by listing them on an e-loop and then it pretty much becomes a first come, first serve kind of thing.
Well, last week, I just happened to be sitting at my desk when a particular message came through. It said, "OFFER: Baby Grand Piano."
After rubbing my eyes in astonishment, I emailed the person as quickly as my typing skills deficient fingers could move. I wrote, "I'll take it, I'll take it. I can be there as soon as possible." After many phone calls and emails back and forth with the owner, and a quick trip to their house to see what kind of shape it was in, he said I could have it, so I hired a piano mover and the rest is history. It all happened very fast.
When it arrived, I was astounded, shocked, amazed, overwhelmed...the adjectives could go on for a paragraph, but mostly I was feeling so incredibly blessed by this beautiful piece of artwork. It had been quite dark at the other house and I didn't really see the detail and beauty of it. I had just thought it was an old, grungy piano, which was fine with me. I'm all about refinishing things.
But when it got into the light of this room, it was anything but old and grungy. It was breathtaking, stunning, and ornate...there I go with the adjectives again.
I still have to scrape my jaw off the floor every time I walk into this room. And then I pinch myself. Wow! It's real. Thank you, thank you, Lord. What a blessing for our family, but especially the girls who love, love, love to play it!
Freecycle is the BEST!!! And that piano is awesome! What a deal! When are you getting it tuned? Who plays?
Posted by: Suzanne | June 24, 2009 at 10:59 AM
All three girls play. I'll probably get it tuned in the next few weeks. It actually sounds pretty good. It's only slightly off key in a couple areas.
Posted by: KellyinVA | June 24, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Wow Kelly!! What a beautiful blessing!!
Posted by: Robbin | June 25, 2009 at 10:27 PM
You got a piano on Freecycle!? That is awesome! I can't beleieve that type of thing is even on freecycle. Congratulations!
Posted by: Dandy | June 29, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Thanks!
Posted by: KellyinVA | July 21, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Let me make sure I have this right....this was FREE???? WOW! This is a beautiful piece of fine craftsmanship for sure.....who made it??? I have a Steinway upright that was made in the 1800's,( $200.00 when I was a child) and they were able to tell me when and where and who it was made for....perhaps yours will have a story attached too! You have truly been blessede with this one!
Posted by: sandy McClay | September 11, 2009 at 02:20 AM
Yes, it was actually free. It is called the Opera Piano and was made in the early 1900's. I haven't done much more research than that. I agree...what a blessing!
Posted by: KellyinVA | October 05, 2009 at 07:47 AM
wow! I followed a link here from Donnamarie, but got sidetracked and started reading your entire blog. The piano is awesome. We got a 102 year old piano from our church back home, but when we moved we had to leave it. It was too big. I sure wish I had it here. (sigh)
Posted by: Sheri | October 27, 2009 at 10:29 AM