Today's post starts out with a message I received on Twitter from @MrKDub
This hobby community is built on the amazing backs of awesome people, like yourself, doing amazing things, not for themselves, but for others! We are so appreciative of the effort and work that you put into making this community what it is. The group below wanted to say thank you for your efforts and hard work, we hope this item finds a special place in your collection. Never any pressure, but it is always fun when we can join in and be a part, so if you would be willing to open it live, always fun, but no pressure to do so, bottom line, know that we appreciate who you are and what you do for this hobby community. Let this small token of appreciation be a constant reminder for that. Your friends in #TheHobby , @KurtSchwanda
@MrKdub
@thepointsports1
@nearmintzki
@bmw3679
@benfuqua
@eshecker
@KellysKards1768
@DReynolds5294
@papayontrading
@BettsKetts
@QuadosCorner2
@WillieJ3nkins
@Rowdy421
@Brent3323
@dandreaeady
@K37troyer
@s10blazer99
@GarrettAdair19
@MK_breaks
@millerjs241
@jeremynyr
@steelcitygoon84
@allset24
@KellysKards1768
@BentleyTock
@90sNicheFBCards
@keckscards
@IraKates
@jfortner88
@mcfarm21
@CollectorJoe15
@KimJFlanders
@Andyscards85
@HiveCards
@LastSecondSnags
@Peajay021
@HookemMike
@_AlleyAwesome
@HokiePorter
@M_J_Erickson
@ToddSass1
@MikeyBCards
@Tcorvino792
@EgresitsJohn
@ToneyDavid11
@RapidCards
@noah_sattison
@KyleLewisforGov
@good2bgold
The package, after taking a long trip here, arrived yesterday and I am just getting prepared to see what this weeklong surprise is.
*sits down for today's Cards Over Coffee post. has coffee by his side, a surprise package and excitement like it is Christmas in the air. we all know how much I love Christmas*
*takes a sip...looks over at the package and realizes scissors will be needed. gets up, grabs scissors carrying them appropriately and comes back to the table to open the package*
*does so*
*looks through the package while trying to video the opening on the phone, gets to the item, realizes it will actually take a new post to do this justice as my video was poorly shot and my hands shaking didn't help*
*feels blown away...pictures the Will Ferrell meme of his mind being blown as myself*
*takes another sip, wipes away a tear, gets ready for a new post on Cards Over Coffee*
*hopeful you are ready and tips mug your way while wiping another happy tear away*
Picture it. It was 1991 or so and I was riding in the car with my father running errands and having our one of our bonding moments which was to turn on the radio and listen to music together while we were out.
When we listened to the radio, we always made sure to turn it up when Elton John came on. My father since his youth was a big Elton fan and always jammed out when he came on the radio. It was something we did every time we got in the car, unless my mom was in it. She was not so much a fan.
A few years later when we started collecting sport cards, my father acquired Elton's Too Low For Zero Cassette tape and we listened to that a lot. So much, that I remembered all of the song lyrics even still to this day. Most of the time we listened to that tape, we were heading out to the card shop or on our way to the monthly card show knowing my mother wouldn't tag along with us for those trips. We wouldn't have wanted her to anyways if she had seen the amount of money "wasted" as she called it. We called it fun and making everlasting memories.
Because of those days and the fond memories, I have attached to them, I became an Elton fan myself. I picked up many of his CD's over the years including the CD version of Too Low For Zero (though I still own the original cassette tape we had) and listen to him a lot.
The power of music and memories attached to them is incredible. Especially as you age and life changes. I don't see a lot of my father since I moved out after high school many years ago, other than a couple phone calls a week as both of our schedules are packed. Listening to music, especially Elton, brings back a lot of powerful times.
*takes a sip, turns on the Too Low For Zero CD in the CD player. yes, I am one of the very few people who still listens to CDs*
When we listened to the radio, we always made sure to turn it up when Elton John came on. My father since his youth was a big Elton fan and always jammed out when he came on the radio. It was something we did every time we got in the car, unless my mom was in it. She was not so much a fan.
A few years later when we started collecting sport cards, my father acquired Elton's Too Low For Zero Cassette tape and we listened to that a lot. So much, that I remembered all of the song lyrics even still to this day. Most of the time we listened to that tape, we were heading out to the card shop or on our way to the monthly card show knowing my mother wouldn't tag along with us for those trips. We wouldn't have wanted her to anyways if she had seen the amount of money "wasted" as she called it. We called it fun and making everlasting memories.
Because of those days and the fond memories, I have attached to them, I became an Elton fan myself. I picked up many of his CD's over the years including the CD version of Too Low For Zero (though I still own the original cassette tape we had) and listen to him a lot.
The power of music and memories attached to them is incredible. Especially as you age and life changes. I don't see a lot of my father since I moved out after high school many years ago, other than a couple phone calls a week as both of our schedules are packed. Listening to music, especially Elton, brings back a lot of powerful times.
*takes a sip, turns on the Too Low For Zero CD in the CD player. yes, I am one of the very few people who still listens to CDs*
*enjoys a minute of memories before continuing on with today's post*
For the past few years, roughly five, I have been getting deep into non-sport collecting and adding pieces from my youth that bring back memories. I have autographs from Betty White, Kevin James, Leah Remini, Bob Newhart, Angela Lansbury, and Bob Saget to name a few that bring back those sweet times.
One autograph I didn't have and couldn't ever afford was my biggest need to my childhood memories collection and collecting overall. Yes, it was Elton.
For the past few years, roughly five, I have been getting deep into non-sport collecting and adding pieces from my youth that bring back memories. I have autographs from Betty White, Kevin James, Leah Remini, Bob Newhart, Angela Lansbury, and Bob Saget to name a few that bring back those sweet times.
One autograph I didn't have and couldn't ever afford was my biggest need to my childhood memories collection and collecting overall. Yes, it was Elton.
*takes another sip, jams out to I'm Still Standing for a few seconds before continuing on*
I heard three years ago that Elton did a few TTM autographs from a group on Facebook I was a part of and tried it myself only to get an unsigned photo in return since he didn't have any more signed. So, I waited a few weeks later and tried again only to have my envelope in general returned back to me.
I heard three years ago that Elton did a few TTM autographs from a group on Facebook I was a part of and tried it myself only to get an unsigned photo in return since he didn't have any more signed. So, I waited a few weeks later and tried again only to have my envelope in general returned back to me.
Ugh.
I didn't give up there as I am not one to give up very easily.
I began to use that group to see if anyone had scored an extra one for trade which they did not.
Double Ugh.
That led me to trying another group on Twitter that did TTM autographs and trying to locate an address for me. That came up empty as well.
Triple Ugh.
Then I attempted the last few years on Twitter trying to trade for one with having no luck. The last few months I actually gave up tweeting about trying to get one. I had reached my point realizing that I wasn't probably ever going to land one. EVER.
I didn't give up there as I am not one to give up very easily.
I began to use that group to see if anyone had scored an extra one for trade which they did not.
Double Ugh.
That led me to trying another group on Twitter that did TTM autographs and trying to locate an address for me. That came up empty as well.
Triple Ugh.
Then I attempted the last few years on Twitter trying to trade for one with having no luck. The last few months I actually gave up tweeting about trying to get one. I had reached my point realizing that I wasn't probably ever going to land one. EVER.
Instead, I added a few small cards that Elton was featured on hoping that would work. It did, but still didn't turn me away from wanting his autograph someday.
What I didn't know was that someday was going to be today.
Inside of the USPS flat rate shipping package above was a bubble envelope (also shown above), that had a rubber banded cardboard piece (once again shown above) which had this CD inside of it first.
That alone was cool.
When I first heard this remix song, I had mixed feelings. I am not one for remixes but after a few listens, it grew on me. It wasn't much longer after I became obsessed with the song, which by the way became a topic of discussion for my father and I during our weekly phone chats.
Under the CD was this PSA COA.
Then under that....
Well....
Wow....
Skipping across the room....
Tears of happiness....
Jumping for joy.....
Amazing....
Incredible.....
Hand shaking....
Wow...
Oh wow....
Signed Elton Art Card with PSA approval.
If you're mind isn't as blown as mine is right now, please re-read this post.
I couldn't do it on the video and not sure I can even here say the right words of thankfulness I am feeling. It's too hard and I am not even sure those words even exist.
But, all of you guys, I am talking about this list of incredible, thoughtful, amazing, friendly, good-natured individuals that did this for me, THANK YOU. I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever times infinity forget what you did for me today.
@MrKdub
@thepointsports1
@nearmintzki
@bmw3679
@benfuqua
@eshecker
@KellysKards1768
@DReynolds5294
@papayontrading
@BettsKetts
@QuadosCorner2
@WillieJ3nkins
@Rowdy421
@Brent3323
@dandreaeady
@K37troyer
@s10blazer99
@GarrettAdair19
@MK_breaks
@millerjs241
@jeremynyr
@steelcitygoon84
@allset24
@KellysKards1768
@BentleyTock
@90sNicheFBCards
@keckscards
@IraKates
@jfortner88
@mcfarm21
@CollectorJoe15
@KimJFlanders
@Andyscards85
@HiveCards
@LastSecondSnags
@Peajay021
@HookemMike
@_AlleyAwesome
@HokiePorter
@M_J_Erickson
@ToddSass1
@MikeyBCards
@Tcorvino792
@EgresitsJohn
@ToneyDavid11
@RapidCards
@noah_sattison
@KyleLewisforGov
@good2bgold
I hope you guys can feel the raw emotion through the screen. I tip my mug to you all.
*takes a sip before finishing up today's post. listens to another song*
As I sit here typing, memories of riding in the car with my father and our trips for collecting are coming back. Great times.
I now also realize a new memory was made with Elton today because of the people above. I cannot say this enough, thank you everyone on that list.
I hope everyone reading this today has a great Friday and weekend. Drink some coffee, not alcohol.
*Coffee Card Blogger Out*
