After reading The Diva's latest article in the BNL I got to thinking about my own experiences and a young boy finding a life long friend in the 5 string banjo. I remember in the 7th grade in chorus class, a class that I took because it was pretty much a free pass, a friend brought his banjo to school to play for the class. Even at that stage he was a pretty good picker. I remember watching and listening and how I was just overwhelmed with what I was hearing. At that point I decided that I had to learn to do this. It was close to Christmas and my mother ask me one day what I wanted for Christmas. A banjer I said, and she just kinda said ooooookaaaaay!? I remember she told my father What I wanted a he said that it would be a waste of money, just something to pile up in the corner , but mama

Well yesterday I got to spend another great day at the Special Olympics with my son. If you have never gotten to spend anytime with these children you just don't know what you've been missing. Over the past few years I have gotten to know alot of these kids very well, and have grown to love them as my own. We take for granted manythings that these kids have to struggle with everyday of their lives. The main thing that I have learned that these children want and crave is simply for someone to show them that they are loved, and to be accepted. We had a great day. I laughed with joy at their excitement, and also cried with a heavy heart, to see some struggle so hard. If you have never volunteered to help in this, do yourself a big favor and get involved. It will bring you a life time of joy.

I want to take this time to thank each and everyone of you who have supported the Banjo Mafia in the past and now in our new home. I believe that many great things will come of this site for the banjo community. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that things would come this far , this fast. Enjoy the the new site,because it is your home, and thank you all.