An uplifting story.

[sloop_john_b]

At the shop where I teach, there are three brothers who take lessons (you guessed it, guitar bass & drums), all very close in age (16/17), who have been taking with us lessons for many years - the Ruccis. The brothers and their parents are very close friends with everyone who works at the store.

Sometime last summer, they took a family vacation that had been in the works for some time - a massive two-week cruise around Europe. On the first day, the guitar playing brother, Michael, fell ill. A trip to the infirmary eventually revealed a bombshell of a revelation - he had leukemia.

He was airlifted to the nearest port - without mom - and proceeded to bounce around Europe, going from hospital to hospital for several days to receive emergency treatment.

His condition ebbed and flowed for a while. He had lost all his hair as a result of the chemo treatments. He was too weak to come into the shop for lessons, so we came to him (which we never do). His two brothers chipped in and bought him a Godin 12-string to help lift his spirits. We all wore red bracelets inscribed with a phrase he said himself - "I'M NOT DONE YET". I never take mine off.

At some point, the Make-A-Wish Foundation got involved, and his wish was - brace yourselves - a Rickenbacker 362/12 doubleneck. I'm sure finding one was a far more difficult task then they would have thought!

But, he's still here today, he's doing GREAT, and he got his wish this week.

[collin]

Dude----that's a really cool story, thanks.

I hope he can fight his battle with leukemia successfully, I can't imagine what he's going through.

Good on you guys for taking his music lesson to him----we all know what a good distraction learning a new song etc is, and that kid needs a major distraction right now.

Plus----that's one heck of a wish! Pretty cool to see it come to fruition. He looks stoked.

[jingle_jangle]

This one put a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat, JB. Thanks for sharing.

I wonder...did you have any influence on his desire for a Rick?

[sloop_john_b]

This one put a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat, JB. Thanks for sharing.

I wonder...did you have any influence on his desire for a Rick?

Y'know, I knew him but not well and was not his teacher. I don't know where the hell he got it from, but it wasn't me! The store management did, however, recommend me to the family when they started looking for one, but my services were not needed. He's bringing it into the store later, so I'm gonna head down and check it out. I spoke to him on Facebook earlier and he just can't believe it. He's totally over the moon.

[melibreits]

That is a wonderful and touching story.... I hope and pray that his leukemia is cured, and that he will be blessed by a long life of music with his Ric doubleneck--may it always serve as an inspiration to him!

[ozover50]

Wow!! Wonderful story, JB. Thanks for sharing it.

[kiramdear]

Uplifting indeed, and very sweet. I hope he enjoys it in good health for a long time.

[shamustwin]

[winston]

Wow! John that is an amazing story. Music has the power to help people find the courage to fight for their very lives and to live through the anguish and the pain and as the story demonstrates it can also bring people together for a common cause. Thanks for sharing that. Like many others I was very moved by the story and I hope and pray that he lives to play well into old age.

[libratune]

That is a wonderful and touching story.... I hope and pray that his leukemia is cured, and that he will be blessed by a long life of music with his Ric doubleneck--may it always serve as an inspiration to him!

+1. Thanks for sharing, John. Very moving -- "I'm Not Done Yet." INDY

P.S. Are there any extra bracelets? That's one I'd wear.

[rickenbrother]

A great story, John. I hope someday Michael will be telling this story to his great grandchildren, while playing his Rick!

[bottom4]

P.S. Are there any extra bracelets? That's one I'd wear.

+1 on the bracelet...

Thanks for sharing, John

[cjj]

Wow, what a story. And what a wish! Not faulting the kids who want a one time thing like Disneyland, but this kid's got a dream that'll last and a lasting wish to go with it, he surely is not done yet. Great to hear his wish came true!

[ken_j]

Thanks for sharing John.

[lennon211]

Thanks for sharing that. I work with teens everyday and the moment that anything happens to one, it's immediately felt by all. +1 on the bracelet for me too. That's also an affirmation that I'd definitely wear to keep everything in perspective and help support those who have so much more that they want to do.