Back in the beginning of the Indigo Girls, I found something in their music that was impossible to explain.  I didn't even realize at the time just how much they would affect every aspect in my life.
   I had everything to look forward to.  School went well.... friends... wonderful family.  Then one month after my 20th birthday, I had a massive stroke.  Paralysis on one side, and a brain bleed.  This event would be one to change the ENTIRE course of my life.  There went my hopes of furthering my music.  I lost a great deal of 'friends' because I could no longer go out with them.  Guess they weren't true friends to begin with.  Anyway.... while I was stuck in my hospital room, my mom and dad brought a cassette player for me.  I have always loved music!  One of the cassettes I had requested was my Indigo Girls one.  Here we go.  Their music was so up front, honest, and powerful.  It gave me much inspiration.... I wanted to be strong again.  So, months changed into years, and after a long bout of therapy, I was back to about 90 percent of who I was.  Thank you ladies for the strength and courage! 
   But then, 10 years later.... right when it looked like everything was coming together for me.... BAMMMM   another stroke.  What in the world?  I am only 30!!!!  Well, the affecting blood vessel that had caused the first stroke... had grown BACK, then ruptured again.  Not as severe as the first stroke.... this one only kept me in the hospital for a couple of weeks.  No real physical therapy needed, however I did have to undergo brain surgery to remove the vessel.... then an immense dose of radiation to 'kill' the remaining part they couldn't remove.  I was hundreds of miles from my family, but they came to be with me.  And with them.... came Indigo Girls music.  With a determined outlook.... I was able to regain enough strength to go back to work at the ambulance service, but not on a unit.  I went into dispatch.  And the whole time going through this AGAIN.... Indigo Girls.  And I was even more ecstatic when Amy Ray began her solo CD endeavours.  WOW!!  Her powerful tunes blew me away, and gave me what I was lacking - the hunger for life - to be me again. 
    To wrap this up before I get too wordy..... I will say this.  Throughout the years of intense physical therapy... throughout the heartache and pain of seeing the part of me I had lost... Amy Ray and Emily Saliers 'held my hand' when I cried.  Through their music they were sometimes the only friends I felt like I had.  THANK YOU LADIES for everything.  I love you.