9 / 7 / 02

Dear Friends,

Has is been a year already? It's hard to believe. So much has changed in my life this last year. I moved from Southern California to Northern California (Grass Valley) in November, and again to Seattle, WA last month. My stay in Grass Valley consisted of spending time with my family, catching up with old friends, discovering new friendships, starting my own design business, playing some concerts, and recording an album. And now I'm in Seattle attending Cornish College of the Arts' Design program, to further my artistic education. I can't wait to see what surprises are in store for the coming year.

This optimism and appreciation of life is a far cry from the emotions that I was dealing with last September. The dust clouds of confusion and darkness in New York seemed to cover the entire world. But for everyone that survived that day of tragedy, life went on. And it continues to go on. So I have chosen to embrace life and enjoy every day I'm given. I thank God every night for allowing me to inhabit this earth for another day.

Creating this Tribute was a necessary step in my healing process. I'm glad that I was able to share it with so many others, and offer a helping hand out of that dingy fog of sorrow. To the thousands who have contacted me by email, thank you. Your words have meant so much to me, and have been an amazing reminder that, no matter how it may seem at times, no one is truly alone in this world. To all those who have used my Tribute in memorial services, programs, concerts, classrooms, churches, offices, and on other web sites; thank you for including me in your remembrance -- I am truly honored.

Let us all remember what happened a year ago on Sept. 11th, and may that memory motivate us all to be the best at what we do.

God Bless,