Piano Man

My dad installs hardwood floors for a living. He also finishes them. It's a family business. One that his father started over 50 years ago. He is very good at what he does. And his customers love him. He loves them too. That's the kind of man he his, he loves people. And I'm certain that's one reason his business is successful.

He doesn't advertise. Never has. Never will. His customers spread the word. They call him when they need repairs or refinishing. He has known many of them for a lot of years.

He has a customer named Al Hanserd. Dad was working in his home about 13 years ago and Al mentioned that he needed to get rid of his piano. He asked Dad if he knew anyone that would be interested in buying it. Dad told him that I played and that he would ask me if I was interested. I should also mention that my dad is forgetful. He never asked me if I was interested. But the next time he was at Al's house he noticed that he still had the piano. He asked Al if he still wanted to sell it. Al said no. He wanted to give it to me.

And that's how I became the proud owner of this beautiful old Kimball upright. I was really excited when he called me and told me about it. But was even more excited when I saw it. It is so lovely.

Since I have had it it has been moved at least six times. And sadly it has never been tuned. But amazingly it still sounds good. A few months ago one of the keys started sticking. So I decided that it was way past time to call out a piano tuner.

Enter the piano man. I totally expected a really old guy named Frank to show up at my house and tune my piano. But he was like 25. And his name was Steven. And he took my piano apart.We found a lot of things inside the piano. Some pennies, a balloon, part of a cracker. But the coolest thing we found was this.The last time it was tuned was in 1995. So the piano man thought he would need to do a pitch raise. But then was surprised to find that the piano was sharp. About 45 minutes later it was perfectly in tune with no sticky keys. My piano students will be grateful. It sounds so nice.

My dad did a job for Al a couple months ago. I told him to tell him that I am teaching piano lessons on that piano now. And to tell him that I am thankful and that I love my piano.

I should probably tell my dad that I am thankful too. Thankful that he is the kind of man that loves people. The kind of man that people love in return. The kind of man that would inspire Al to give his daughter a piano even though he's never met her.