[pianotech] Our brother's keepers

[David Ilvedson]

That is a great idea...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Mark Schecter" <mark at schecterpiano.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org; caut at ptg.org
Received: 4/30/2009 9:56:14 PM
Subject: [pianotech] Our brother's keepers


>To all my brothers and sisters in piano work:

>One of the downsides of self-employment is the exposure we have to 
>catastrophic events. Although some of us are employed by institutions or 
>  dealerships, most of us go it alone, and if something happens, we deal 
>with it in the best way we can scrape together, for better or for worse.

>Few of us have the resources to survive comfortably through any extended 
>period of unemployment, whether as a result of health issues, 
>macro-economic stresses, or sudden traumas. We just keep on plugging, 
>with our fingers crossed, and if we're fortunate, our spouse or partner 
>will help pull us through in a time of need. If we're the sole support, 
>we're in real trouble.

>John Granholm will not be able to work for a good while. I don't have 
>any idea what his financial situation is, but presumably, if he didn't 
>need to be working, like most of us do, he would be fishing or golfing 
>or otherwise relaxing. In other words, he is suddenly facing, among 
>daunting physical difficulties, the prospect of no income, when just 
>last week, the assumption was he would be working for a living.

>Having been in similar straits once, though not nearly so severe, I well 
>remember the deep gratitude I felt for my fellow piano technicians who 
>helped me get through in my time of need. Members of my chapter of PTG 
>tuned pianos for me, and gave me the checks. I choke up right now just 
>remembering those acts of love and support. Nothing has ever meant more 
>to me.

>So here's what I'm going to do: I will tune one piano a month for John 
>Granholm and send him the check, until he's able to return to work. This 
>is one way I can express my gratitude for PTG; for the generosity of its 
>members, my brothers and sisters, toward their fellows; and to John for 
>his contributions to our world. I want to ease his mind during his 
>recovery. I hope you will join me.

>-Mark Schecter, RPT
>San Francisco Chapter since 1979