The Unforeseen Benefits of Unexpected Gifts: My Journey with Crochet and a Legendary Cigarette Score

Have you ever received an unexpected gift that turned your life around in ways you never imagined? That's exactly what happened to me with a pair of crochet hooks I received as a ‘free with purchase’ item, and a legendary cigarette score from my teenage years. These gifts played a significant role in my personal journey and serendipitous experiences.

The Crochet Hooks: A Life-Changing Hobby

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of knitting and crocheting, considering both crafts to be equally challenging. However, a slight tremor in my hands makes it difficult for me to control the needles, so I’ve never truly mastered knitting or crochet. Imagine my disappointment when a delivery of craft supplies included a set of crochet hooks as a free gift with purchase. I hadn’t noticed the promotion and seriously considered returning the item.

Instead of sending it back, I simply put the hooks on a shelf and forgot about them for a while. One day, I stumbled upon a YouTube video showcasing how to crochet a rose. My sister loves roses, and I had some leftover yarn from my previous attempts. The video inspired me to give crochet a try. To my surprise, I discovered that controlling a crochet hook was far easier than handling knitting needles, and I genuinely enjoyed the process.

While crochet became a delightful hobby, I quickly realized that its impact extended beyond mere pastime. Timing is everything, and starting crochet in December 2019 proved to be incredibly fortuitous. Just a few months later, the pandemic began, and people were instructed to stay at home. At the time, I was already housebound due to a chronic illness, which often restricted my activities. Without my new crochet hobby, the increased idleness might have pushed me to my limits. This newfound passion provided me with a much-needed creative outlet and coping mechanism during lockdown.

A Legendary Cigarette Score: A Teenage Sensation

Turn back the clock to the 1990s, a time when cassette tapes and record stores were still a thing. I remember purchasing a pack of Trident gum for 25 cents. The pack included a phone number for the Trident Rock 'N Roll Call, which was a toll-free number. I figured I might as well give it a try. The phone prompt asked me to select the appropriate answer to a "skill testing question" via my touch tone phone, and options were provided. To my surprise, I selected 'Cher' and was told I had won a cassette tape.

Excited by the prospect, I recorded my name and address and promptly forgot about the whole experience. Time passed, and one day, I came home to find a letter for me. It contained the promised Trident Rock 'N Roll Call cassette. This was more than just a promotional item; it was a musical discovery.

The cassette was a mix of a couple of songs by both established and up-and-coming bands. To my delight, I heard both De La Soul and The Pixies for the first time. These were bands that completely changed my musical landscape and guided me on a journey of appreciation for diverse and unique music. While not all the selections on the tape were to my taste (Texas and Van Morrison were more hit or miss), the experience of finding and listening to new music for free was undoubtedly a valuable reward.

Conclusion: Unexpected Gifts with a Major Impact

While these small and seemingly insignificant gifts might not seem remarkable on their own, their impact on my life was profound. The crochet hooks provided me with a much-needed creative and therapeutic outlet during a challenging time, while the Trident cigarette tape introduced me to new musical experiences that expanded my horizons. These unexpected gifts turned out to be more valuable than the original reasons behind their existence. They not only changed my life but also provided me with a sense of serendipity and joy that I will always hold dear.