Son shares mum’s moving letter “forgiving trumpet debt”

Son shares mum’s moving letter “forgiving trumpet debt”

“Not all heroes wear capes.” It’s an old saying, but after reading this letter from a music-store’s owner to a struggling mum, you’ll see that it’s far more than just a saying. It’s a bona-fide truth that helps many struggling people make their most of their daily life!

Most mums would do anything for their kids. It’s not uncommon for a mum to go out of her way to make sure their sons or daughters don’t have to miss the little things in life. That’s why Jacques Ruffin, the man who shared the letter online, was able to play the trumpet in high school.

Yeah-nah, I'm not crying. I just got something in my eye. Credit: Jacques Ruffin

Yeah-nah, I’m not crying. I just got something in my eye. Credit: Jacques Ruffin

He didn’t know it at the time, but Mum was struggling. Making payments on the trumpet Jacques was learning to master was a bloody challenge for Mum, but she never let on. Jacque’s music teacher though, he did know.

Whether he’d figured it out through intuition or whether Mum had missed a couple of payments isn’t clear, but James W Jones, a real-life hero, decided on a solution that Jacques would be eternally grateful for. He wrote off the debt.

James W Jones fingering his trumpet. Snigger. Credit: James Jones

James W Jones fingering his trumpet. Snigger. Credit: James Jones

“You do not have to pay me any more for the trumpet,” he wrote. “It is yours to play.” A conscientious bloke who just wants to get musical instruments into the hands of kids everywhere, Jones asked only one thing. “If Jacques drops out of band and stops playing the trumpet, will you return it to me so I can give it to some other deserving student?”

He finished the note with a word of encouragement and an inspiring message. “I have been through tough times like you. But remember, tough times never last. Tough people do.”

Ruffin had no idea the letter existed until recently. In response to the kind gesture, Ruffin has decided to pay it forward.  His GoFundMe campaign says, “I had no knowledge of this letter until I found it three days ago in the hallway closet. The letter touched my heart… His act of kindness enabled me to participate in band throughout middle school and high school. The letter has inspired me to start this fundraiser for students in need wanting to learn to play an instrument. The money will be donated to local music programs to ensure that every student that is interested in learning to play an instrument will have the ability to do so.”

Ruffin outside a school benefitting from his campaign. Credit: Jacques Ruffin

Ruffin outside a school benefitting from his campaign. Credit: Jacques Ruffin

Final thought: This is the kind of news story we need more of. A good heart-warming gesture will always blow away a sensationalist bad news one. Bloody top stuff, James and Jacques. You’re both real-world heroes in my opinion!

H/T: BBC.