dear melissa

Dear Melissa,

I do not know where to begin. How to express the feelings within.
First, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You are the greatest teacher.
People are always asked to list who their hero is. To me a hero has always been superman, or batman... robin too. Robin hood for sure. But, a hero as a person? I dont think I ever had one of those.

here are some definitions courtesy of dictionary.com

A.
he·ro /ˈhɪəroʊ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[heer-oh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -roes; for 5 also -ros. 1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc
this one is just too sexist....

B.
hero

noun
1. a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength; "RAF pilots were the heroes of the Battle of Britain"
2. the principal character in a play or movie or novel or poem
3. someone who fights for a cause [syn: champion]
4. Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)
5. (classical mythology) a being of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits; often the offspring of a mortal and a god
6. (Greek mythology) priestess of Aphrodite who killed herself when her lover Leander drowned while trying to swim the Hellespont to see her
7. a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States


soo.. i guess there is a female version of hero. BUT... back to the point....

a hero is (when not talking sandwhich) a PERSON who displays courage, nobility, strength, and in the opinion of others, is regarded as a model or ideal.

WOW!!! that is quite a loaded term. HERO. It explains why I could never properly answer this question. It also explains that while some people would list their parents, i was not always sure that was the label for a parent. To me, calling someone your hero, when you mean it, is an honor, and should be used as passionatly as one uses love.

to me, i am serious with what i say. i say things so impacted that most people miss my point. but that is ok. i have a special few who i call friends who get me, whose energy is of light and love. to be a hero, is to be knighted. is to stand out with honor. a person whose life is dedicated to a cause beyond themselves. a knight fought for his country, his people, his beliefs. i dont think there were female knights. it made sense.

i am writing with sincerity and gratitude. to knight you. siress melissa etheridge. (is that the right term?) you are my hero. You consistently display courage, strenght, and nobility. You are a model, an example, even an ideal. You speak with such light. His Strength shines through you. You are a soldier of good, in a war of bad. and you are a lesbian. a mother. a wife. a rock star. you are truly, the coolest. oh, did i mention you are a gemini. ya... amazing.

you have impacted my life, taught me, inspired me, for over 6 years now. what is amazing, is that i believe our life cylcles in 6 year increments. i believe that is simliar to chinese belief, hence your chinese year happens every 12 years, after a cycle of 6 good, 6 bad. what is good and bad varies, becuase how good you are will last through the bad. this is also what happened in egypt during Joseph's time... he dreamt it... touched a momement of G-ds Truth... and said, we must prepare for a time of bad.... 6 years of good, and then 6 years of bad.... and so it happened. those who were prepared, those who did not overdo the good times, those who kept the modest, giving life... when the bad came, they were taken care of. so, here, 6 years later, i find myself.. my 4th cycle over... and i know..the next 6 will shine.

marriage. law school. purpose. mission. The tides are changing. The material has boxed people in. it is time to be free. You are a beacon of Truth. Of purpose. You are the voice of the cause. You, and others like you. Sticking together, making change. And me? well, dreams come true. i invision a road trip. a summer of love. following your voice. informing the people. we have a vote. we are the people. we decide. not some men playing golf. each and everyone of us. together, are stronger. and you believe that. and i believe that. and i love having someone like you to hear it from. i can not wait for your CD. the few songs I have, amazing. the time is perfect. your new message, updated songs to my updated life. next chapter, new soundtrack. it is amazing. you are amazing.

i can not wait. for what you have in store. I will as always, do my part. I will spread the word. I will get the message out there, as you do. Sticking together, stronger than ever. Your words and song energy and light. The AWAKENING indeed. Imagine that!

Love always,
afro