When I was little, I loved to sing in the childrens choir at church. My mother and grandfather played the organ with the many pedals. One night at choir practice, we finished early, but I had to wait till my parents came to pick me up. So as I waited , I got to tinker on the piano. I feel in love with it and asked Santa for a piano. I was very lucky, because though my family didn't have alot of money, that Christmas, I woke up to a small music box in a shape of a baby grand piano that played my favorite song with a letter from Santa telling me my father would be bringing a piano for me before thw new year. It told me that my father's friend gave it to Santa for him to give to me. Oh, the magic of Christmas! Anyway, we went and picked up my piano and my family all helped to move it. I was able to find a teacher from a family friend cause my parent's worked alot. So, I began to learned to play the piano when I was in 3rd grade. When ever I practiced my mother would ask me to play the music box dancer, because that was my favorite piano song and it took me a long time to learn it. After taking lessons for about 3 years, my family couldn't afford to keep taking me to lessons. But I would continue to play wherever I had the chance. Playing made my mom happy and it took alot of sadness away from daily life struggles. When I went to college, I was very sad and home sick. I found a piano in the basement and would go down late at night and play. That continued till I had to get a job and transfer to a closer school. Then playing only happened when there was time. We I got married, a family friend gave me a small upright piano, which my husband at the time complained about. That it was a waste of time. I ended up selling it to a yard sale. After my divorce almost 20 years later. I met my current husband and we purchased a farm together. Even with all the hard work with a farm nd being a nurse at our local hospital. I still reminisced about playing. I told my husband I always wanted a baby grand piano. One Christmas morning after a long nightshift at the hospital, when I got home there was a surprise for me. Santa again. Lol. (actually my dear husband and children) Here he found a baby grand, took the kids to pick it up and had it hidden in our basement for weeks and I didn't even know it! After I left for work Christmas eve. My husband, children and step children moved it up to our living room for my Christmas surprise! Now 10 years later we are planning to move to Florida. I truly want to take my precious piano with me, but unfortunately, even though I want to take it, I don't think we can. It would need to be returned and moved. Which we are now much older and the kids are busy with other things. My piano is a Marshall and Wendell. I believe a 1923 baby grand. It is still in pristine condition. No cracks in the ivory. Finish is still beautiful. And even though we haven't had it tuned it plays beautifully. I saw your contest when I was looking at possibly selling my beloved piano and thought I would give it a shot. Or maybe you might know of someone to give it a good home. Thank you and God bless. Sincerely, Debbie Adams

• YEAR 1923
• MAKE Marshall & Wendell
• FINISH Mahogany
• CATEGORY CONTESTANT