Changed my life

A good friend and I were talking about what gift to get his 16 yr old cousin.

He: He's 16, so I really want to give him something that will, you know, guide his life, show him new things, open up his world...
Me: Ehm... (clearing my throat)
He: Hey hey hey. No. Why do people always think that way about me?
Me: Like what?
He: Like, you think I'm going to ruin my little cousin!
Me: Well,...
He: Yes, you were thinking that!
Me: Well,...
He: I mean, okay, when I left home to go to school the first time (he was 14), my mom gave me 3 CDs. Pink Floyd and The Who. And my world changed. It was like, wow, there's music like this. And this attitude. It made me more confident. That's what I want to do for him.

I know what he means. I didn't grow up listening to much music other than what's on commercial radio. Then, someone handed me Miles Davis. The world opened up. You think I'm being dramatic - perhaps just a tad - but after Miles, I sought out others. Coltrane, Monk, Duke, etc. He made me thirsty. Branched out: Bjork, Medeski/Martin/Wood, Massive Attack, Radiohead, and who knows after that. This much beauty is possible - I can't take it! My world changed. Distinct eras: Pre-Miles vs. Post-Miles.

Has anything like that ever happened to you?

I hope so!