Blessed

Do you know the feeling of meeting someone who touches your life forever although you just talked for a second or just exchanged a glance? I want to tell you about a special encounter I had a couple of years ago. I’ve been a fan of Joss Whedon’s TV Shows like Buffy and Angel. If you have ever watched an Episode of his Show Angel you might remember the green demon called Lorne. In real life the actors name was Andy Hallett and he died in 2009. In 2002 I had the honor of meeting Andy at one of the Fan Events in Los Angeles. When he heard that I came all the way from Germany he asked my friends to make sure I stop by and tell him hi. I did what he said and made sure to look out for him. Andy was that kind of person that made you immediately feel like you were friends forever. He was so kind, joyful and had this big heart and bright soul. Over the years I got to meet him another couple of times while he was in London at Conventions. Andy had this awesome voice that caught your attention the moment he started to sing. He always appreciated his fans and hang out with them to party. Listening to Andy always put a smile on my lips. I couldn’t call Andy a friend of mine although he has always treated me like one. He was always the guy from next door. He had this talent to make me cry because I had to laugh so hard. I’d have loved to sing with him one time but I was always to shy to ask. However in 2005 I gave him my Demo CD. He promised to give it a listen. A couple of months later had a message on his website thanking his fans for all his birthday wishes and he wrote: Nic B. in Germany (I loved your CD by the way! It’s the bomb).
That of course made my day. It made me feel so strong about my music.

When I heard that Andy’s heart had failed on March 29, 2009 my world fell apart. How can someone with such a big heart and such an incredible soul be taken from us with such a young age? His death made me realize that life is really short. We should appreciate it and the people in it as long as we can. If we have a dream we should follow it. If we fail… well then we either try again or search for something new. I’m so thankful that Andy has touched my life. As sad as his death is and as much as it still hurts it also had something positive. I found a new friend… his mother Laurie. We have been emailing for quite some time now. She even called me on my birthday last month. If I could I’d bring her son back for her I’d do it. She is such an incredible and strong person. Now that her boys death anniversary is coming up it’s especially hard for her.
But knowing that we all still love and miss him and mourn him together with her gives her strength.

I’m working on a Song that’s called “I am okay” which is dedicated to Laurie & Andy. Hopefully it’s soon finished.

I feel so blessed for the memories I have about Andy and for his mother’s friendship. I kinda like to think that Andy is hanging out on his own star, sipping on a cocktail and just having fun and still feeling all the love he gets from us. And I’m sure he smiles.