So…ever since I was very little, as far back as I can remember remembering anyway, I have been taken with Ireland. Call it an infatuation, being smitten, or being sweet on her, but whatever the description, Ireland has been my heart’s tryst…a firelight to my heart ever since I began dreaming of adventures outside of all that my eyes called familiar.
It will be my birthday in two days and while I have had some amazing birthday gifts from Loving friends and family…one very Irish-themed one now that I re-call (Jeanine, that day was perfect)…let this one sit among the very best. For this year I was handed a gift that has been 15 years longed for; my very own violin!
My delightful friend Megan, who is the best pianist I have ever heard (and I’ve heard some very talented professionals before) gave me her darkwood violin to borrow for more time than I could have ever deserved. She has given me a gift with more hidden blessing than I think she’ll ever know. As long as I’ve intimated Ireland in the deepest parts of my heart, so to there has been the fiddle…in fact, I think I’ve always referred to the violin as an “Irish-violin.”
So, I will hopefully very soon start my professional, and thank you Lord, free lessons with a very talented violinist here on campus. I will be learning to play and thinking of my dear friend Chris the whole time, who left us to dine at Heaven’s feast forever more.
Thank you Megan for making this childhood Irish dream…come true.
Justin Gunter 
hey, this is the only way i can say happy birthday to you… so here it is :o) we were talking about you and your flip flops tonight, very fun :o)
no Kirsty…you’re fun!