
I used to buy 78s since 1980 at a store in Madrid which was there since 1940s or maybe earlier. Devoted most to 78s and gramophones, accesories, needle tins, they also did repair work, etc. The very same they were doing all life, but the only difference was that in 1980 all records were second hand

and no more new stock. Well. A nice shop where you could find anything. The chief then was the son of the original owner, which until the 90s was still there around. They were not cheap, but they always had a high pile of cheap 12"s, mostly classic.
I quited from going there for some years. Later in 2016 or so, I started to go there again, but he was semi-retired, and his daughter managed the site, which was also dealing with vinyl, although continued with 78s. I started to happen to find the old man in the bus, while going home from work, and we chatted a lot about the hobby and the old times. One day he told me they wanted to transfer the business to someone interested, or finally sell everything out and close it. I suspected he was proposing me... my blood froze! But I finally didn't say anything and let it pass... Simply I didn't had the courage to invest there and take it. Later I didn't meet him anymore, and the store closed.
Sometimes I think about it, and still I feel the fear as if I was to make such change in my life... But I deeply regret not to have had the courage to jump in then.. . Chances in life simply happen one day, and you make a decision that could be right or wrong. One never knows...
Since a very small boy I've loved cars, records and playing machines, music, etc, and when I discovered gramophones and 78s at 12, I knew this was my Life's Love. But never dared to try to make a life on that... I'm always in the belief that if the hobby would became my daily work, I could end hating it... Just an hour ago I was amazed at the point of crying and feeling something in my spine, while playing Tino Rossi's rendition of Pearl Fisher's aria Je suis entendre encore, and the Berceuse from Jocelyn, in my hmv127. I don't want to loose that emotion and intensity of such musical-gramophonic experiences! Am I a coward?
Is it common, when starting to get older, that feeling about what one's life could have been if a different course had been taken?
Am I getting too serious? Sorry for that...
