guitargirl

Today on Veterans Day 2008, President-elect Obama laid a wreath at the John F. Kennedy War Memorial...

Afterward, he issued the following statement:

"As we mark Veterans Day, all Americans are united in honoring the extraordinary service and selfless sacrifice of our nation's veterans. Our veterans are part of an unbroken line of heroes who have defended the American people and stood up for American values - from the beaches of Normandy to the battles in East Asia; from the deserts of Kuwait to the skies above Kosovo; from the cities of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan. Since 9/11, a new generation of American heroes has borne a heavy load in facing down the threats of the 21st century, and their families have been asked to bear the painful absence of a loved one. These Americans are the best and bravest among us, and they are all in our thoughts and prayers.

"On this Veterans Day, let us rededicate ourselves to keep a sacred trust with all who have worn the uniform of the United States of America: that America will serve you as well as you have served your country. As your next Commander-in-Chief, I promise to work every single day to keep that sacred trust with all who have served. May God bless our veterans, and may God bless the United States of America."

As I cast my ballot one week ago today I was so filled with hope. Now, as Barack Obama prepares to sit in the highest office of this great country, every word I read about him builds that hope more and more. I don't believe my hope, and the hope of millions of others, has been misplaced.
gg

More video of my daughter Rachel :)
This one begins with stills of Rachel as a baby and includes her playing
Vince Guaraldi's "Linus and Lucy" at Hope Community Church in Santa Barbara, probably in 2004.
She is 10 or 11 years old here - I'm guessing 10.

Pastor Jim Firth, the church's regular keyboardist, built the platform for the sustain pedal you see Rachel using,
since she obviously couldn't reach it on the floor :)

Regarding the title of this video:
When Rachel was 3 months old she was diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity
and was referred to retina specialist Dr. Michael Goldbaum of the Shiley Eye Center in La Jolla, California.
Dr. Goldbaum's nickname for Rachel was "Peanut," because... well,
that's about how big she was at the time :)

I don't know where this man has been all my life,
but his songs are like he is reading my mind...



Just have a little patience,
I'm still hurting from a love I lost
I'm feeling your frustration
But in a minute all the pain will stop
Just hold me close, inside your arms tonight
Don't be too hard on my emotions

'Cause I need time,
My heart is numb has no feeling
So while I'm still healing
Just try to have a little patience

I really want to start over again
I know you wanna be my salvation,
The one that I can always depend

I tried to be strong, believe me
I'm trying to move on,
It's complicated, but understand me,

'Cause I need time,
My heart is numb, has no feeling
So while I'm still healing
Just try to have a little patience, yeah

Have a little patience, yeah
'Cause the scars run so deep
It's been hard but I have to believe
That you'll have a little patience
Just a little patience

Oh 'cause I, I just need time,
My heart is numb has no feeling
So while I'm still healing
Just try to have a little patience

Have a little patience
My heart is numb, has no feeling
So while I'm still healing
Just try to have a little patience

My daughter Rachel on flute and piano with The Dory Bavarsky Trio.
She was 11 years old in this video.

I hear your voice from down below
The sweetest sound I've ever known
You call me closer to the edge
To take a step and just let go

I know I want you
That's why I'm afraid

Can you feel me falling for you
Feel me falling
'Cause I fear I'm falling for you
Fear I'm falling


I won't pretend that you're naive
It's hard to hide what's plain to see
But I will try to stand my ground
And catch the breath you take from me

I know I want you
That's why I'm afraid

Can you feel me falling for you
Feel me falling
'Cause I fear I'm falling for you
Fear I'm falling... falling... falling... falling

Can you feel me falling for you
Feel me falling
And I wanna feel you falling for me
Feel you falling...

Don't be the one that got away
If you just go, my heart will break
I have to show you how I really feel
You are the reason I believe
That love is a possibility
You are the dream I never thought was real

Can you feel me falling for you
Feel me falling
And I wanna feel you falling for me
Feel you falling... falling... falling... falling...

Video of my baby girl back when she really was my baby girl,
You must see this - she is so adorable - video of her at age 4, and then at age 11.
Could I possibly be more proud of her?
Could I possibly love her more?