To Be Rather Than To Seem

 

 

The curtains are down, the lights are out, the venues are dark and if you listen very, very closely you might just hear the haunting last notes of Good News. Clay Aiken fills an auditorium as only he can.... with his majestic voice, his soaring spirit and the golden light of his heart and soul. When he finishes a concert he leaves a little of himself behind, his aura and persona permeate the atmosphere and linger like the sweet scent of orange blossom in springtime.

 

2004 comes to a close, as does the Clay Aiken Christmas concert tour. This is in fact, the ending of Clay's concert tours throughout the United States for an indefinite period of time.

 

Mr. Aiken has another calling these days, turning his attention toward philanthropic causes; Clay has graciously accepted the position of UNICEF'S Ambassador of Education and will begin a journey to third world countries where education is virtually non-existent.

 

For many, many months now we have watched our young man grow and develop into a super star...he has so quickly soared to new heights in a profession that all but fell into the depths of Hell. Clay's love of song and music breathed renewed life and light into an industry so dark and dank.  Unholy lyrics strung together produced so-called "songs" that turned many American teenagers into unloving, indifferent, disrespectful children. 

 

So many of our pre-teens and teenagers grew up in an era where the taking of a life, be it their own or someone else's held no meaning... and so we sadly and horrifically experienced Columbine.  The "dark" music and lyrics gave rise to parent bashing and the denigration of what a woman is and/or should be in society. But, a clean-cut, mother loving, God loving young man came along and in an instant garnered millions of fans and slowly, sometimes painfully, began to turn the tide in the music industry and in America. This one lone soldier has stood steadfast and unyielding in front of the music industry gurus and the general public eye and won the battle!

 

We all know that Clay's first love is the education of children, specifically those with disabilities. Throughout these past many months Clay has lent his talent, time and energy to the idea of Inclusion...including children with disabilities into programs with children without disabilities...and it's beginning to work! Clay is winning yet another battle as he shines his light on these endeavors, once again creating ripples in one of America's ponds. 

 

As Ambassador of Education, it is time to share our beautiful young man and his many talents with others who are so much less fortunate then us Americans. It is time for us to be unselfish and as giving as Clay is and allow him to go with a carefree heart knowing that we, his ardent fans, support him and his every goal. I for one will miss him terribly, I already feel bereft and he hasn't even gone anywhere yet!

 

I feel so strongly that I need to remember Clay as he is now, brand him to my heart and my mind because I feel just as strongly that the Clay who returns will not be the sweet, innocent, adorably dorky, loveable quirky young man we know but a new Clay will return, one who has seen first hand the heartbreaking sadness of the daily life and strife of children in the countries he will visit. No magazine picture or article, no TV Documentary, no amount of preparation and discussion will ever prepare Clay for what he is about to witness first hand. Clay Aiken will return to us a bit older and much wiser. He will realize that in the face of hunger, poverty and ignorance, a scuffle with Simon Cowell is a huge zero, and the title of American Idol is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

 

Clay needs no official title, for within his age bracket in this country he has already become an American Idol! I am so very proud of Clay Aiken, singer and humanitarian...who he is, what he stands for, what he believes in and that in spite of a sad and lonely childhood, in spite of the emotional abuse he suffered, the feeling of being an outcast in his own home, this beautiful young man grew and blossomed into a rare and majestic flower, so rich in heart, mind and soul for one so young.

 

And so, until we meet again, I just want to say...Clay, you have given so much laughter and light to us, you gave of yourself when you were tired and sick, you pushed yourself when even we thought you couldn't go much further at times, you truly are a rarity...God has unquestionably put His mark upon you! Whatever else The Lord has in store for you will reveal itself bit by bit as time progresses and I can't help but believe it will get bigger and be more important with every step you take!  We love you unconditionally!!

 

I wish you Godspeed in your travels, may you be given the emotional strength and bodily fortitude you will need to continue onward, I hope you learn as much as you teach, I hope you sing for your "new pupils" and fill their hearts and memories with your spirit and talent, I pray that God will keep you ever safe within the palms of His Hands and return you to us whole and well, with a renewed sense of self. I want you to know and feel what we've known all along...that you are loved and respected among your fans, that you will be sorely missed but that we will cheer you on in whatever goals you choose to tackle. That we are unwaveringly proud of you!

 

North Carolina's motto is "Esse Quam Videri" (To Be Rather Than To Seem).  You are living your beloved home state's motto...You just “ARE”!!!!!!!!!

 

I wish you a New Year filled with Blessings, Health, Happiness, Hope, Love, Prosperity and continued Success!!

 

By: Corie (CorieLuvzClay)