You were there as I watched you go around the world…breaking every rule…and I found some amazing strength of will…to the point of even having the "Private Dancer" album airbrushed on my jeans jacket!
You were there.

Thankfully, You were there during one, if not the hardest times in my life…as I said goodbye to my mother far too early…and "I Might Have Been Queen" reminded me that death is not the end and all through the days that followed soon after, I felt that same spirit of endurance lifting me up through your music…and You were there.
I have always been something beyond a fan.
I never saw you as far away like some…but someone I always looked to…seeing the strength you maintained and no matter the issues or stage my life was in, your story and voice always has made me smile and made my spirit soar!
As I ventured across the world on my own…recording and singing for a decade…I thought of You as I looked down from a plane…landing in Amsterdam and remembering I was living my own "Wildest Dreams".
You never knew it, but again…You were there.

And thanks to you, I found a "secret combination".
A source of strength and understanding just waiting in the Myoho Renge Kyo.
Independent yet sincere, my Gohonzon is 263 years old this year and with knowledge and reverence, I learned that one sincere daimoku is worth more than 10,000 chanted without care…and you affirmed that one could remember the faith of childhood and build upon it.
You helped me to see…Beyond… because You were there.

And now…in these past several years, you have been there as I watched my father and sister…my only sibling…enter into eternity… "On Silent Wings"…and now…in the midst of my own sudden health situation, You are still here…still giving me hope for the future…no matter how long or short it may be and I keep going and keep on growing.
Though I could cite a million more examples, suffice it to say that you have been, are and will be one of the most important people throughout this whole lifetime and all I can do is say thanks…because You are here…and You were there.