Just got paid three years after a gig.

[invader3k]

So I'm at home this afternoon, and just checked my mail. I was quite surprised to find an envelope addressed to me, with the return address from the band leader of a group I was in three years ago.

This band had a lot of issues when I was in it, and I was only a member for probably about 10 months total. In that time the band leader dealt with a death in the family, and there was a lot of band drama (we had two female singers that couldn't get the songs down, among other things). I basically quit after our last gig just because I was sick of all the B.S.

Well, in this envelope I received today was a handwritten note, saying how he had my pay from the last gig from three years. There was even an included invoice detailing the pay for each band member. Basically my total pay ended up being an small chunk of change. It's not like I was waiting for this money to come in, and didn't even remember expecting pay from this gig.

Other than that, all he said in the note was, "I went through a lot in my life, and moved to (different town), hope we can hang out again sometime."

Just very weird that he would write to me after all this time. I'm considering writing him back. Don't know if there is any real point to this post, but just felt like sharing somewhere.

 

[Kenner]

Very cool story : )

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

That sounds like a 12 step moment to me... Well, good on both of you.

 

[AltGrendel]

That sounds like a 12 step moment to me... Well, good on both of you.

That was my first thought too.

 

[David Jayne]

Yep, sounds like you're old buddy is in 'The Program.'
Which is fine- it's helped an awful lot of folks. I'd write back, simply thanking him for taking the trouble.

 

[jive1]

That's awesome.

I believe when people take tangible steps to make right where they've wronged, they will be further along in their healing.

Hats off to both of you.

 

[bscenefilms]

Great story!

So, wait a minute... People will pay us to do this???

 

[mboogiemanusa]

Cool story......reminds me of a few similar experiences I've had recently after some old friends from the past contacted with me out of the blue on Facebook. In some cases wiped away years of hurt, resentment or other baggage.

 

[invader3k]

Thanks guys. i probably will write to him. I agree he is probably going through "the steps" or something similar. It was just so out of the blue.

 

[selftitled907]

Sounds like he has searched his own soul and made some changes. We need more people like that guy.

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

Write him back, it is a small effort on your part and it would probably mean something to him, too, seeing as how he bothered sending you this note and money.

 

[vstrings]

It is a good story, and it turned my otherwise (beep) day around.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[Russell L]

Nice story. Yeah, write him back and wish him well. If he's going through something and trying to make things right it will mean a lot to him. Anytime any of us do anything wrong, when we feel bad about it and try to make up for it we need to know that we are forgiven. And you never know if your relationship with him now might not bloom into something good.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[buzzbass]

This guy sounds like a quality individual. He'd be worth playing with again, now that things seem to be better.

 

[dogofgod]

i bet 12 steps or a horrible feeling of guilt.

cool story, thanks.

 

[fhm555]

...we need to know that we are forgiven...

Actually, the goal (and ultimately the reward) is making the effort to right past wrongs, not gain forgivness for those wrongs.

Not everyone forgives, so hinging your happiness on the actions of another only does two things 1) sets you up for failure and 2) grants someone else the power to control your happiness.

If OP has a desire to reconnect with their former band leader, they have been presented with the opportunity to do so, but it is still their choice. If they prefer to leave that chapter of their life as part of the past, a simple thank you for his effort is just good manners, but even something that simple can be too much for some folks to handle, so it is often self defeating to reach out with expectations of a positive response.

 

[invader3k]

If OP has a desire to reconnect with their former band leader, they have been presented with the opportunity to do so, but it is still their choice. If they prefer to leave that chapter of their life as part of the past, a simple thank you for his effort is just good manners, but even something that simple can be too much for some folks to handle, so it is often self defeating to reach out with expectations of a positive response.

Like I said, I'll probably write him back to thank him and wish him well, etc. I don't plan on trying to play with him again or anything like that. I think that part is best left in the past.

 

[cableguy]

Nice story. Yeah, write him back and wish him well. If he's going through something and trying to make things right it will mean a lot to him. Anytime any of us do anything wrong, when we feel bad about it and try to make up for it we need to know that we are forgiven. And you never know if your relationship with him now might not bloom into something good.

Thanks for sharing.

Drop him a line if you feel like it. We all make mistakes at some point. Sounds like he is at least trying to let you know he remembers you in a good light either as a person or a player. I, myself would at least touch base with him and wish him well if there were no other issues between you & him.

 

[Richland123]

Is his name Earl? Sounds just like the premise of the TV show My Name Is Earl. Send him a thank you note.

 

[TripleDouble]

Cool story man, thanks for sharing some positivity.