WHEN Carter Widmor found out that he has brain cancer five years ago, he has made a decision to fight for his life and at the same time leave a legacy by teaching guitar lessons.
“It’s hard sometimes to want to continue,” he said in an interview.
Widmor moved to Saipan last year from California. He said he fell in love with the community and the people he met here that is why even if he doesn’t have a family here, he chose to live here.
“I love the people I met at Saipan Community Church, and I love the way of life here, much slower and more relaxed than the states, housing is affordable, and some people are very considerate,” he said in an interview.
He said he experienced simple acts of kindness that touch him deeply here on the island.
“Sometimes when I’m just buying a can of cola at the store, people in Saipan will often let you in front of the line if they have a lot of items. I never saw that living in the states,” he said,
Widmore was orphaned at a young age with both parents dying in separate occasions.
He said there are times when he feels that there is no point living, but he still sees hope in his situation because of the people around him who never gave up on him.
“There were two points in the last 5 years or so that I wanted to jump off a tall building or something. I just try to remember all the sacrifices made by people who loved me and tried to help me in a world that’s growing darker and colder by the day. One person really can change the world, or their community, especially on a small island like Saipan,” he said in an interview.
Music as a medicine and a source of living
Widmor finds therapy by playing music and teaching his clients how to play guitar.
He only charges $10 for people who go to his place for a lesson and $15 for individuals he has to personally visit to teach.
“I play piano bass and drums as well as guitar and uke,” he said.
He said he is also interested in making his own music, but his equipment can only allow him to record music played through a guitar.
“I would love to make my own music, right now my only original is “low battery” which was written in go out of Wayne Schwartz, a teacher / guitarist in Guam who passed this month. I hope to expand my gear soon so I can try my hand at making a fully original song,” he said.
His favorite guitar style is classic rock, and his favorite band is “Lizzy!”.
He is inviting those who want to learn to play the guitar to call him or to visit his website https://carterjams.com/ and sign up on his online enrollment form.
Web design
Widmor is also a professional web designer.
Among his clients are Micronesian Car Rental, Northern Marianas International School and Marianas Business Plaza.
Widmor is also accepting projects and long-term contracts.
Widmor is determined to win his fight with cancer and will appreciate if the community can help him in his journey.
For more information call Widmor at (670) 785-2313 or visit his website at carterjams.com.
