From
time to time, when some unsuspecting friend has a birthday, I feel compelled to
write a blog about them. And today is Lorraine Ferro’s turn!
I
first met Lorraine (insert undisclosed amount of years here, because we couldn’t
possibly be that old), when I heard her sing at a Songwriters’ Hall of Fame
showcase at what was then The Lone Star Roadhouse in Manhattan.
The
truth is I felt the presence of God when I heard her sing, and though it’s many
years, lifetimes, and songs later, that is still the case for me. And she is
still quite possibly my favorite singer on planet earth or in any
constellation, frankly.
Needless
to say, we became fast friends and our personalities could not be more
different…which is one of the things I enjoy most about being friends with
Lorraine.
People
come into our lives for a variety of reasons, and I can remember moments of
conversations with her that have impacted my life forever and for good. And for
that, I consider myself exceedingly blessed.
But
that is not the only thing for which I am grateful when it comes to Lorraine.
No, Lorraine has the distinction of being the one person who has introduced me
to many, if not most, of my closest friends, colleagues, and people whom I love
and adore. So thank you, Lorraine, for Sue, and Dan, and Nic, and Tanya, and
Arnie, and Garry, and JJ, and Jera, and Sandra, and JoAnn. (I hope I haven’t
left anyone out, but if I have, please know I love you, too!)
The
thing about friendships spanning many years is that you walk each other through
a journey containing many rites of passage. The loss of parents, the highs and
lows of music careers, the shared victories and defeats, because what happens
to or for one of us, happens to or for all of us. And I am as grateful for the
shared tears as I am the shared joys.
So
before I close out this birthday blog to go celebrate with the birthday girl herself, I
want to wish Lorraine not only the happiest of days, but the gift of knowing what a beautiful soul she is and that she has impacted lives in this world in ways she
can’t even begin to fathom.
May
your day be joy-filled, your year be love-filled, and life be blessed.
Happy
Birthday, Lorraine!
xo
Ilene
with Lorraine Ferro, Tanya Leah, & Sandra Sotero
This is so lovely . It is a wonderful tribute to Lorraine specifically but also expresses what good long term friendships are about for everyone. Thank you Ilene.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful and true. Every person is amazing with hearts of gold. The writer included
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