So yesterday was my birthday. Starts off as usual. I took the day off from schoolwork and went for a walk. Got forty dollars from my aunt in the mail. Cleaned up the kitchen, did some laundry, and waited for dinner. We had huge king crab legs. A few of them were literally as big as my forearm! I got a shirt that I was told to change into, and while I was in the bathroom, my parents said, "Stay in there!" I was getting a surprise.

My mom told me to close my eyes, and walked me out to the living room. I sat on the couch and waited for them to get the surprise ready. When I opened them, I couldn't believe what was on the table in front of me.

The Yamaha P-140, the $1,000 digital piano I had fallen in love with when I played it at the store months ago. 88 graded hammer action keys, half-damper sustain pedal, and it was mine!

After dealing with a $130 portable keyboard for two years, everyone agreed it was time to step it up. A week ago I had told my parents I was considering quitting piano because I didn't have an adequate instrument. Unbeknownst to me, they had already bought the thing and were hiding it at my dad's office at work!

The sound is beautiful. I can now fully express what's written in the music, or even more. Nothing could have made me happier.