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
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