Good evening Michael,
As usual these days, I'm being a night owl hoo hoo
Creativity often comes for me in the quietness of the night, where I am alone with my thoughts, alone with my writing, alone with my music (especially since I don't like people watching me practice - it puts me on the spot and I feel very self-concsious). Anyway, it's night. I'm getting ready to go make me some wonderful, glorious popcorn, relax, and enjoy a movie. I was going to go record but it's freezing cold and I don't have any ideas. Several of my songs are really going very well, by the way, thanks in part to your continual inspiration to make music that is real, and pure, and straight from the heart and soul. You are absolutely spot on when you say that the music should write itself. I have always believed that, even before I have heard you say it.
Well enough about me, let's talk about you, Michael.
I just wanted to say, you know that you are loved. But I would like to go even further than that right here, right now. I RESPECT you, Michael. I respect your gifts from God, I respect the way you use them and give Him the credit. I respect your art, and your creativity. I highly respect you as a person, and I respect your privacy (though I have to admit it's hard not to talk when we see you and your lovely family). I respect that you are you just the way you are. I respect that you are tougher than the world would think. I respect your sensitivity, your empathy and sympathy, and your giving and cheerful heart. You have not only my quiet admiration (I'm not a screamer) but you ultimately have my respect. And that, my friend, is very important.
My children respect you, as well. They are such blessings to us; they can't wait to make more of a difference in this world than they do now. Always they are telling me, "Mommy, I want to go help at the food bank," or "Mommy when can we go to Ukraine and Kazakhstan and Russia like you and help the kids at the orphanages?" or, "Mommy, I think Michael likes children and loves to help them, don't you? That's so cool", or "Mommy, are we going to do the boxes for Operation Christmas Child this year? When when when?" or "Mommy, what would happen if Michael visited us? Would he help our sister get better? Only Jesus can do that I know but there's just some kind of I don't know, power, that Michael seems to have and I know he loves Jesus like we do but Jesus works real special through Michael, and we wanna be able to help so many people like he does, too! That's why I wanna be famous, cause I want to use the money to help people! But I know there's that ol' paparazzi bad people and that makes me sad but I don't care, I just wanna help!" Well, things to that effect, anyway, lol.
I adore my kids so much, sometimes it makes me cry, although sometimes they do drive me crazy since they are around me all day with homeschooling and all. There's 4 of them and they bicker just like all children do. But no really, when I put in some of your music, they all spring into action. The little toddler I babysit starts dancing and banging away to the beat of the music, a lot of times he sings along (he is only 16 months old, by the way - I think he's gonna be a musician and I am gonna get him some toy bongos for Christmas
) The girls all start singing and bobbing their heads while doing their homework or chores or on the way to gymnastics practice, smiling the whole time. And everytime there's an "AOWW!" in a song they say, "he hurt himself again!" and start bubbling with laughter. It's really cute. I don't really know what would happen if they saw you in person, like just walking down the street or something. They may or may not recognize you. I keep them away from the newspapers and tv and other media. I don't think they would go running after you; they respect you too much to do that. One of them might (or at least point you out), because she excites very easily, but she's a teenager, and then no doubt she'd get all shy simply because she is like that around all boys and men. She has personally met and conversed with music stars before as a child and was very shy but very respectful towards them. She, like her sisters, knows they are people, too and thinks it quite silly when crazed people go running and screaming and fainting after someone. I cannot imagine what that must feel like. I suppose there's a mix of an adrenelin rush, knowing how much you are loved, as well as a little bit of fear of getting hurt???
Well as usual I am rambling. It's late, lol and I want my POPCORN. Have a good night, and have an absolutely WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS. For Christ is the reason for this season. Amen? And thank you for being you. Spakeni noch'e.(Russian for Good Night)
