Sherry Cook Stanforth

 I am holding a gourd dulcimer that I received in my younger days. My family, we used to go to the Tennessee homecoming down there at the Appalachian Museum and play music. And I met the best people who were so patient with me, always encouraging me to continue to play the music. And one day, James Garland walked up and handed me this and said he wanted me to keep it in my family and to hand it down to my children someday. So this gourd dulcimer, this gourd dulcimer has survived many, many years and four children and lots of nieces and nephews and young neighbors running around the house. And every time I look at it, I think about harmony and care that crosses from generation to generation, and those seeds walk within me and move me to want to be a steward for other people who come after me.