Packing and moving

One of the items of concern for us in our great move was the piano that I inherited from my parents a couple years ago. The piano was originally purchased by my father's father quite awhile ago (probably in the thirties, or earlier). The piano means a lot to me as a family heirloom. As much as I would have liked to keep it, I just couldn't justify bringing a very heavy upright piano into a small LA apartment. So, Mom and Dad offered to take it back.

My folks and my sister drove out and picked the piano up for me. Rayla and I decided to hire movers to get it from the living room to the back of the truck. I don't know the exact weight, but I would estimate it around 600 pounds, so the cost of $120 seemed like a bargain (about 20 cents a pound).

This morning, two strapping young lads show up in a truck ready to take on the task. One of the gents was a fairly regular build. The other, however, was a large young fellow. Probably 230 pounds and about 6' 3". I was very confident that they would have no trouble getting the piano on the truck safely. My confidence was well placed. Not so much because of their strength, though, but because of the little dolly they used to 'step' the piano over the door frame, down the ramp and up the ramp into the truck. Very easy.

They then offered to help us tie it down to the truck. We had some good ratchet tie-downs, and they went about their business. They got it tied in nice and snug. And then the whole scenario changed (yes this story has a point).

The big fellow, I mentioned above, lifted up the keyboard door, sat down on the side of the truck, and started playing. What a sight to behold. Out on the street, sitting in the back of a Ford half-ton, with a old blanket draped over the top of the piano, this young fellow played that piano better than anyone ever has before.

What a moment, especially right in the middle of a very hectic and chaotic few weeks. My sister snapped some pictures, so I will post one when she sends them to me.