Pat Milliken lost his home in the Tea Fire

My friend, Pat Milliken lost his home in the Tea Fire on November 13, 2008. Fortunately, Pat was able to save himself and his guitars. However, he lost everything else including his own original recorded music.

His music spans throughout all genres and his heart is one that is pure and golden. Pat is the most kind, sincerest, real person I know and I can say that with confidence being I've known him for over 40 years. He has always been one to give and not ask for anything in return.

But now it's his turn. He needs a home. Nothing much, according to most standards, just a home surrounded by nature and peace. Not much to ask for coming from a man who just lost everything.

How to help?

Offer a home, a place of serenity for a musician whose whole life has been devoted to love and serenity. Or listen to and purchase some of his music (see links below). Motif is a wonderful, beautiful album of Pat's instrumental, original pieces that are beyond words...

My love and heart goes out to you, Pat.

Always your friend, Sheryl

Links to Pat Milliken:

• Pat Milliken - Motif - CD Baby
• Pat Milliken - Motif - Sevensouth
• Pat Milliken, Guitar Teacher & Performance in Santa Barbara
• "Dreams" by Pat Milliken (MySpace)

To Connie - I Believe

I recently met a lady who has provided me strength without expecting anything in return. I'm not quite sure how to express my appreciation for her kindness and insight but the following words came to mind...

"Remember to stay strong and true to those who love and deserve you."

I don't know many Connie's, in fact the only other Connie I know of personally is my cousin. But there are three things I've found to be characteristic of the Connie's I know to be true... they are independent, strong and stand up for what they believe.

The song playing is by Connie Talbot, who I first heard on America's Got Talent and also portrays the same characteristics and gifts. It's called, "I Believe". For those who can't hear the song, the words are...

I believe for every drop of rain that falls

A flower grows

I believe that somewhere in the darkest night

A candle glows

I believe for everyone who goes astray

Someone will come

To show the way

I believe, I believe

I believe above a storm the smallest prayer

Will still be heard

I believe that someone in the great somewhere

Hears every word

Everytime I hear a new born baby cry,

Or touch a leaf or see the sky

Then I know why, I believe

Everytime I hear a new born baby cry,

Or touch a leaf or see the sky

Then I know why, I believe

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

I lost another friend

Wow... how sad and hard life can be... I lost another friend. But I can't even begin to imagine how someone feels to lose his two brothers in one month. Two words, of many, to describe Davy were also used to describe one of his favorite musicians, Todd Rundgren... "perpetual adolescence".

Steven, I wish I could tell you something that would help you, but I can't find the words. Rags and Davy had hearts of gold which only could have come from a true heart like yours. I wish I could say something to make you feel better, but my tears are the only expression I have. And this song...

Being a musician himeself, with a big heart, it was hard to pick one song to dedicate to him. So, I went with my heart. I chose "This Is Your Song" by Ronan Keating.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

I hope you have a day you deserve... wonderful and caring, surrounded by all that love you.

I'm sorry I'm not with you, but I want you to know how much I love you and appreciate all you have taught me.

Father's Day Prayer of Remembering

"Fathers young, fathers old

Remembering good times are our gold.

Value earned through guidance given

Helping us go forth in livin'.

Each father adding to our trove

A treasure chest of love untold.

Remembering fathers in our lives

Taking time to realize.

Fatherly love brings wealth to living

Remembering this, we go forth in giving.

Fathers young, fathers old

We remember you all

As life unfolds."

By Susan Kramer

"The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God; I call him Dad!"

~ Author Unkown

URGENT! Bone Marrow donor needed!

"He who saves one life,
it is as if he saved the whole world."
~ Talmud

I have a friend who just found out she has leukemia and is in need of a bone marrow transplant.

I've always known her to be a strong person, a fighter who always held strong through the toughest times.

I wish I could provide more information as to how to help her personally, but until I get approval from her family I ask anyone who reads this to help in any way possible.

A site I have found to be a valuable resource of information is the American Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR,org).

Other sites with helful information are...

• The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry
• National Marrow Donor Program
• The Caitlin Raymond International Registry (Patient Search Center)
• Bone Marrow Transplant InfoNet (BMT InfoNet)

With my sincerest thanks for any prayers and help this post may provide... Meesharie

Eat, Pray, Love

For Mother's Day I received some beautiful gifts. The first being the gift of being a mother to an amazing son. I know I have mentioned it before, but it's worth repeating over and over and over again. I'm not meaning to brag by any means, I just feel so fortunate to have been given such a wonderful child.

Along with seeing the beautiful faces of him and his girlfriend and receiving the most endearing hugs, I got some yummy brownies that they made from scratch. Yes, my son knows how to cook as does his girlfriend. Yummy!!

They also gave me a book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I can't remember the last time I read a book and I admit I was a little hesitant to start this one. I have no idea what it's all about, they wouldn't tell me and neither would my mom, who has already read the book, but it's definitely my kind of book. Chapters are short and among the seriousness is a sense of humor. The author focuses her first four chapters from her bathroom floor while sending you off to many places she's going through in her mind. Note: This is MY interpretation which may be completely different as I read further, but to me it's a remarkable one that I can relate to completely! (Have I mentioned how my son also seems to have the knack for giving the "perfect" gift?)

Included with the book was a bookmark of The Pirates of the Caribbean with, of course, the handsome Johnny Depp!

Then there is the card. A black and white picture of 2 kitties cuddling in a hammock on the front (I love kitties!) and inside he wrote to me the following...

Happy Mother's Day!

No matter what you think or say, you have been a great mother to me and I don't know how or where I'd be if someone like you hadn't raised me and taught me the true lessons in life.

Thank you for always supporting me and what I do.

Love, Cody.

"Eat, Pray, Love" is not only the title of what I'm sure is going to be an amazing book, but it also defines what I believe to be the basis of love.

Happy Mother's Day!

How do I say "Thank You" to my mom and pay tribute to my son who made me a mother? The only way I can find is through a poem for my mom, and a song for my son.
To my two angels... I love you both with all my heart!

I know I haven't been an easy child,

But love for you lies underneath my whims;

There is no way I could be tame or mild:

I need sometimes to shout and wave my limbs.

You're the wall I need to test my height,

The countervailing force to test my strength,

The chain I hammer at with all my might,

Even though you have increased its length.

It's tough, I know, to be both Mom and Dad,

To raise me all alone, just hit or miss;

To have to play at once good cop and bad,

And give me grief before my goodnight kiss.

But love against the odds is stronger still:

I need your fierce, proud love, and always will.
by Nicholas Gordan

My Hero...

For my Uncle Leonard...
 

I haven't seen or heard from my Uncle Leonard in years and I miss him very much. He is my hero, just like the man in Big & Rich's video, "The 8th Of November". Why? There are lots of reasons, but the main one is because my Uncle came from a small farm in Minnesota and when his number came up in the Vietnam draft he chose the front line for one year. A true Norwegian... strong and mighty, yet humble and loving, he went with full honor, as the Norwegians I know would do. I have no idea what he must have experienced in the time he spent in Vietnam, but this video seems to pull me close to what I can only imagine he went through.

So, this goes out to my Uncle Leonard. I love you and want you to know that you are and always will be my hero...

"Romeo and Juliet" by Dire Straits

A few years ago I met up with my first boyfriend. It had been over 20 years since we've seen each other and it goes beyond saying that quite a lot has happened since then. However, there was one thing that hadn't changed and that was the look in his eyes. The only way I can describe it is through the song, "Romeo and Juliet" by Dire Straits. I never knew that he thought of this as "our song". And I thought I was the romantic one!

Don't Forget to Dance for my sister

To my sister, on her birthday...

To my sister... I love you and I am so proud of you. You have accomplished so much with so little and I have and always will admire your stamina and determination.
I found a card you wrote to me when I was in college, over twenty years ago. Inside was a poem. Reading it again reminds me of another card you sent to me. It ended with a quote from The Kinks, "don't forget to dance, don't forget to smile".
So, this is my gift to you. It's not much, but it's from my heart. I love you and I am honored to have you as my big sister... Happy Birthday! 

Sometimes I get lonely
and thinking about you helps remind me
that there is a person I cherish so very much
always close in spirit
even when you are so far away
 But sometimes it hurts even more
to think of you...
your laugh, your touch...
and to remember just how much
I miss your gentle face,
your tender ways
your presence in my life.

Pat Milliken

I knew there was a reason for my late night postings...
"Dreams" by Pat Milliken at the Santa Barbara Songwriter Showcase on Oct 10, 2007
Pat is an amazing guitar player and friend. Listen and enjoy the most beautiful, relaxing music you may ever hear!