Life can change in the blink of
an eye. Hit from the rear by a reckless driver while stopped
at a red light was what some people refer to as a "life changing
event". I anticipated a quick and complete recovery despite
what I was being told by the medical community. Of course I
would be able to return to my normal way of life - anything
else was unthinkable. Unfortunately it was not to be despite
everyone's best efforts.
I sustained severe injuries to my
spinal cord and inner ear that have left me with limited mobility, leg
braces, vertigo and balance problems, difficulties with both arms, muscle
spasms and never ending pain. Lest some of you should be starting
to feel sorry for me do not! I do not need or want pity. I
tell you this only because it is necessary to understand this to appreciate
how important Emil's music is in my life. But the crash did change my life
radically. Prior I had been very physically active and loved to hike,
backpack, ride horses, kayak and run. It was the way I relieved stress
and stayed fit. But those avenues were gone for good and I was in
desperate need of something to do to help relieve stress. Chronic
neuralgic pain allowed for only two or so hours of sleep each night.
I could no longer go to the theatre or watch a play. I was definitely
feeling trapped and miserable. In search of something to distract
me and engage my mind as I was searching for another singers music on the
Internet I heard a few bars of music and then the sweetest voice I have
ever heard! I enjoy many different kinds of music and singers but
I had never heard such a wonderful voice and immediately had to find out
who it was and where I could hear more. Of course that silken voice belonged
to Emil.
I had a very difficult time writing
this as I admire and am grateful to Emil for his gift of music but didn't
want to sound as if I had a school girl crush. Though I knew only
a handful of phrases in the songs it didn't seem to matter. There
was something very soothing to the soul in his voice that crossed language
barriers. When I listened to Emil's music I always felt more relaxed.
It is a balm for the spirit and I never tire of his wonderful voice.
To say there is a lot of stress in my life
is an understatement. I have two non profit organizations - one that
is devoted to stopping the spread of AIDS and supporting those living with
HIV and the other is a group that works towards a world at peace for all
people. I also have to contend with violent poachers where I live
in the west. No matter how tense I am for any of the above reasons
Emil's music always helps me relax at least a little and it never fails.
There is a magic in his voice that is hard for me to define. It goes
beyond range and scale. I always listen to some of his music once
a day, even if it is 3:00 a.m. and I can't sleep. I used to just
get up when I couldn't sleep but now I am able to usually just lie in bed
for a while longer if I listen to his music. Nothing ever helped
me in that way before. As you might imagine AIDS work is not always
a cheery task. But even when I find myself sinking into the depths
of dispair Emil's voice eases the turmoil.
Emil is able to communicate so much with
his voice it amazed me when I did find out the lyrics how similar they
were to the feeling of the songs. Many of his songs I have played
repeatedly. I love "A Life Of Fighting Is But A Dream" and have often
drifted off to sleep while listening to "Lullaby".
I also admire Emil the man. By all
accounts he is a caring man with his family, a good friend and wonderful
company. His recent trip to Ethiopia is just another example of his
compassion.
Emil - thank you for the wonderful gift
of your music and may the good that you have brought me be returned to
you a thousand fold.
Jeanne