Everett,

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful letter to me. Means a lot.

As I was reading your thoughts on affecting others, I was instantly reminded of a 15 year old English girl, Kate, who wrote an actual letter after finding my address, and said my songs gave her hope, and stopped her in her tracks form committing suicide. She had been overweight, and with pimples and such, and had no friends to go to. She soon found enough hope to tell her mother she was going to move to be with her dad, to start fresh in another town and school. So, I sure do know what you mean, by affecting others. Thank you for reminding of Kate. (Back around 1932, my dad finally found a foster mother that "cared", and took him in for good. Her name was also Kate. We all called her Aunt Kate much later on in the 50's and 60's. Weird how that 15 year old girl in England, (where my Aunt Kate came from before coming to the US), were named the same, and both were from England.

The thing now is, I have nothing coming in to help Cindy, who works full time still, (25 years at one big company). It's those thoughts of mine that leads to regrets for not doing things that would have led to a retirement package, or at least to have some small royalties coming in, to represent that I did "something" for our household and for less stress on Cindy paying bills. The Tinnitus took me out of my 35 year piano tuning career with no savings, and took me out of the band, or all bands now. Talking on the cell to others causes heightened Tinnitus. I tried getting all kinds of jobs since 2011. In person, online. Nothing. It's the NOW end result of not able to help put money wise that I am mostly regretful for, for all my actions led up to this current situation of being a failure in that respect. BUT, I do get all that you said. So, thank you again, and I will try to keep your slant on things in my head more than not.

Thank you, Everett! I hope all is good with you and family. You're a good man!

John

Actually a Member Since 1996 or 97 (Number One Hundred Something).
https://www.soundclick.com/bands3/default.cfm?bandID=1409522