Finding Joy in the Groove: The Unexpected Gift of Vinyl Records

I started writing the post below a couple of months back and had planned on sharing it, but I believed it wasn’t the right time. Now, as the pieces have come together, it feels perfect to share this story. I’ve been excited about this post, but you’ll see why it means so much more now at the end. I do hope you enjoy!

Life has a fascinating way of revealing what we may need, what we are searching for, or what we haven’t yet fully understood. Has that ever happened to you? You’re on a certain path, there’s a shift, and you don’t know what’s next. Then, out of nowhere, something intervenes, wielding all its power to provide something unexpected. Let me share an example to illustrate. 😆

After returning to Freeport for the second time (returning after university and now), I knew I didn’t want to jump back into the work scene right away. Naturally, I received and heard the “What are you going to do?” and “What’s next?” questions, to which I didn’t have an answer. But my heart was filled with gratitude, and my mindset was filled with hope—a combination I hadn’t felt in a long time.

In the first week of November, a family friend messaged asking if I had a few hours to help her organize some contents. With time on my side and a reason to get out of the house, I thought, why not? Little did I know that a few hours would turn into a few months. 😂

Have you heard about an LP? Maybe seen one or heard one being played? LP stands for long play, commonly known as a vinyl record. These records, introduced in the late 1940s, revolutionized the music industry by allowing for longer playtime per side compared to older records. They became a popular medium for albums, offering around 20-30 minutes of music per side. A piece of history etched into our digital world - pretty neat, don’t you think?

This wasn’t my first encounter with vinyl records—I had seen them as a little girl. My grandmother had a collection filled with old records, with a record player at the top. I also heard vinyls while visiting my cousin last year in Philadelphia. But this time, something about it felt like the very first time. Vinyl records have made a comeback, with many people rediscovering their unique charm and superior sound quality. I guess the saying rings true: “History repeats itself.”

My friend was gifted a significant number of LPs after Hurricane Dorian. The storm had ruined the jackets, but the majority of the records were still intact. After she received them, she meticulously cleaned each one, played them, and packaged them neatly in boxes with just a sheet of paper separating each vinyl. Fast-forward almost five years later, my role was to assist in placing them in vinyl coverings for some protection. However, we faced a challenge: without the original jackets, how would she know the artist or the name of the album? This is when I thought, "Oh boy." I don’t think I have the best handwriting, so I’m thinking, how am I going to pull this off? But I’m normally up for a good challenge, and I love her dearly, so I figured, why not?

We found the jackets on Amazon, and since some of the vinyl's inner labels were unreadable, we ordered some inner label covers and pens along with the jackets. Week by week, month by month, I pushed on, my progress slowly being seen. By the end of February, I had completed all 358 record jackets! I could not believe it! After placing them in her display, I looked at them and could not stop smiling because I completed a task that once seemed so daunting. Timing is everything, and I now realize that in that moment, it was exactly what I needed.

I went back this past week to take photos of a few legendary records to share with this post. Have you ever had a “Wow, I did that” moment? While combing through the records, that’s what I had, and as you know, those moments, that sense of accomplishment, feel so good. This project was more than just organizing records; it was a journey of rediscovery and connection to the past. It taught me patience, accomplishing something meaningful, and the joy of spending quality time with the ones you love and care for. This new journey has not been the easiest, but I have recognized that even in the hardships, beauty is still present. Love is still present. Life is present.

So I ask you—when was the last time you did something that you weren’t sure you would overcome? Have you done something that brought that sense of accomplishment? Well, what are you waiting for?

P.S. Recognized any of the artists or songs from the LPs? 6 out of 8 are Bahamian Artists and are still hits today!

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