|
Hi. My name is Janice Chase and I'm a single mother of three grown boys. Well, my story goes back fourteen years. I was living in Santa Cruz, it was the summer of 1995, and that was when I met a man named Keith. Keith was not only an umpire at my son's little league games, he was also the deejay at the local country radio station.
At the time, I was going through a divorce and getting out of an abusive relationship. It was the low point of my life… and the future… well, I had three boys I knew I was going to have to raise alone.
Still, Keith had the best sense of humor I have ever encountered. And just made me smile and laugh! He also taught me something really special: to look at music from a beautiful point of view, his eyes. There was nothing romantic between Keith and me… turned out, we knew one another fairly briefly… but our friendship was unique.
Nonetheless, in that awful time after the divorce, I just couldn't hold it all together… and had a (mental) breakdown. I had to move away to a town where my family lived… and I was hospitized three times before this dark chapter was over. But all along, I couldn't forget Keith or this new found appreciation of music. I would listen to the radio non-stop… and over time, I began to heal.
I believe the music helped save my life. I like to think that God sends angels… in our darkest hour… and believe that Keith was an angel, sent to me. And, to this day, I don't think he has any idea. Now, I sit and listen to the music and smile and laugh, knowing the boys and I made it.
Would you please play Garth Brooks', “She's Gonna Make It”… from me to Keith… and tell him… “thank you”? I hope he's listening.
Sincerely,
Janice Chase,
Fair Oaks, California
–
Hi, my name is Cody and I'm a freshman in college. I love to spend time with my family and friends… especially watching football games on Sunday afternoons. And though it's hard to admit sometimes, I am a pretty big Buffalo Bills fan.
Anyway… I enjoy all kinds of music too… but country really hits home. And the one song that means more and more to me… with every stage of my life is Brad Paisley's, “Letter to Me”.
A couple years ago, in my junior year of high school, everything was going good. I was on the football team… and I was just enjoying life! But a few weeks into the school year, I got into some trouble at school… the result -- I was off the football team and suspended from school for a week.
That Friday night was the worst feeling… sitting home… wanting to be at the game… but instead, I listened alone from my front porch… because the school was just a few blocks away. I felt like my life was over. There's a line in brad's song that goes, “but I know at 17, it's hard to see past Friday night”. And another that goes “and you should thank Mrs. Brinkman, she spends so much extra time”.
Well, when all that happened, I really hated everything. But it all worked out… because my family was behind me and they know who I and and what my values are. And I can't forget the teachers that gave me so much extra time, particularly Miss Collis.
I was later put back on the football team and i finished out my junior year with everything going good. Thank you to everybody (friends, family and teachers) who was there for me, and believed in me. Also to Brad Paisley… for writing music that someone like me can truly relate to.
Signed,
Cody Wilkins,
Akron, New York
|
