Arthur Ain’t Welcome “Round Here

My friend Bob reminded me of a conversation we had many years ago. I had forgotten the conversation long ago, but my friend Bob has a remarkable memory. We were driving together, and somehow, arthritis came up in the conversation. As we talked about it, in a very loud, forceful voice, I said, “Arthur ain’t welcome ‘round here.” And he ain’t, that’s for sure. 

Well, guess what? Arthur came ‘round and has shown up in my hands, which is not good news for a guitar player. So what do I do, quit or retire? Heck no, I'm not a quitter. I’ve sought treatment and been to a specialist, and they tell me I’ve just used my hands too much. Ya, think, like all my life. Yet, I still have this passion.

I’ve wanted to be a guitar player since I was 12 years old, and I still do. Arthur has made my hands stiff, making it hard to play some chord shapes. I’m exercising, which helps, and I’m relearning how to play the chords and other things that are now difficult differently. I mean, have you seen Keith Richards hands? If Keith can play with hands like that, then I can. 

While praying, I heard a voice in my heart say, “You’ll be able to do what you do for the rest of your life.” I think I’ll go with that voice and keep on playing. 

So, if you struggle with this issue, too, then let’s chat. Send me a DM, and let’s encourage one another. Because at the end of the day, Arthur Ain’t Welcome “Round Here.

Peace,

Jimmie