Stolen Melody Restored
I have some exciting news to share. A couple of months ago we experienced a robbery at our home. Musical instruments that belonged to my older son's friend were taken. When we discovered my vintage ovation guitar had been taken too, my heart sank. That guitar was my pride and joy. It was given to me by my parents when I was a teenager. Yes, that was a while ago, but I'm still young at heart. I traveled all over the United States with that guitar and performed with it at many weddings. I had not been playing or singing for a quit a while and had left it upstairs in my son's room as he had been showing more interest in playing at the time. As soon as I realized it was gone though, I could hardly bear the thought of never playing my beloved guitar again. I was inspired to write many songs playing it.
The good news is the police found out that my guitar had been sold on Craig's list by a local pawn shop to a guy who collected vintage guitars. He obviously recognized its value right away and purchased it the first day it was on Craig's list. He also went to the time and expense to make needed repairs to the neck, for which I am very grateful. As soon as the police contacted him about the stolen guitar, he was more than happy to return it to the pawn shop. The pawn shop graciously paid him back what he had paid for it along with the repair cost. They then sold it to me for the same cost. Now granted, it was my guitar in the first place, but I wasn't going to argue about the price. I was just grateful to get my guitar back. Here's the really cool part. The guy who bought my guitar is Michael Strickland, a professional musician, who used to play backup for "The Platters" and still plays with several well-known bands around town. Of course, I made sure my son, Chris, who is studying sound engineering at MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University), met him and got some good advice along with contacts for a future job. Mr. Strickland and I have since befriended one another on Facebook as well. He sent me a picture of him playing the guitar, which he had affectionately named "Anna" - for Anniversary as she is a special edition. Michael also told me that he was inspired to write four songs on Anna, while she was in his possession and that he would be performing one of them at a memorial concert for another well-know musician in August. He invited me to attend, so I could hear it. I told him I would be there.
I thought Anna was lost forever and that I would never see her again. My hope for recovery was very low especially after the police had informed me that they had closed the case. I prayed earnestly though for the Lord to bring my dear guitar back to me and God did answer that prayer. He doesn't answer all my prayers, but He sure did answer that one in a most remarkable way. Now I have a wonderful story to share with you and my grandchildren someday. I hope Anna is with me for the rest of my life and that she will be passed along to the next generation. With Anna safely back home, I couldn't set her down. I immediately started playing and trying to remember the old melodies I had written. It's all starting to come back to me now along with the blessed inspiration that Anna still gives. Mr. Strickland said " This guitar has been kissed." To which I replied, "She was blessed way before that though." What Michael doesn't know is that guitar has been anointed by God for His higher purpose. I truly believe God gave me that guitar for His will and His purpose to be done in my life. Obviously, He is not finished with me singing yet. I had been concentrating so much on writing books that I had neglected my first gift I feel so blessed to have a second chance to recover the stolen melodies of my heart., and the praises that will bring honor and glory to my heavenly Father.
Posted by Londa S. Hayden at 7/29/2010 1:36 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: music guitars writing God Praise Worship
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: music guitars writing God Praise Worship
Great story...I hope to see God's handy work soon... ;0)
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I am grateful along with you that the instrument made it back home. I have a Lyle guitar that I've had since '76 that my son loves to play. He will inherit it one day soon. I can only imagine how I would feel if it were lost, for it too was used for much creativity. Many memories and songs are attached.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Terry Hatfield
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