Two days after my 4th birthday I became an orphan, was put in foster care with strangers and separated from a surviving younger brother who I have never seen again. That was 48 years ago. By the time I was 6 I had been in at least 8 foster homes, often abused and neglected. Then one day a most wonderful thing happened. I went to a library and was listening to records with headphones on. I put on a record and heard the most wonderful voice and songs I had ever heard. I listened over and over and over and went back every day that I could until I moved away. The lady singing was Jean Ritchie and she and her songs changed my life. As I continued through childhood whenever times were tough I heard her singing in my head. She had a calming, consoling affect on me like nothing else. Sometimes I was able to find her records again and I would listen. I also started finding other singers and songs I loved. From the songs and the singers I learned much about life and living. The music became a large part of who I was to become. The music became and still is the only consistent thing in my life. It is forever a part of me. I moved around from foster home to foster home more than 40 times. The songs are the only thing I have that no one can take away. I still, at over 50, have no family. But that's ok because I have the songs and many friends who love the songs as well. Singing with friends is the greatest joy of my life and finding Mudcat several months ago was as wonderful as discovering Jean Ritchie so many years ago.

So, Big Mick, I thank you for your stories and I'm grateful for your existence. I understand where the children you wrote about are coming from. They are lucky to make your acquaintance. You may never know how you affected their lives, but know that you have.

I hope that all of you Mudcatters will keep on singing because you never know when you may influence some child and forever change their life.

I sing because singing is a part of me that I must share, even though I don't sing all that well.

I hope all of you have wonderful holidays, however you celebrate. Keep singing. I will visit Mudcat often.