Best Christmas Ever

I drove about 40 miles to Aurora
To Kelly's house who so graciously
Purchased my ticket
Brenda was already there
They were listening to Michael Stanley

This was the first time I've met these women
We chatted for a while
Then piled into Kelly's bedroom
To watch a slide show
Michael's concert pictures
Set to his music
We watched it three times
I need to have me one of these

Kelly ordered pizza
Michelle finally shows
Her parents decided not to go
We offered to take the teenager with us
The pizza arrives, we eat and talk

Then, we pile into my car
Drive to Cleveland
They dump Michelle and I at the door
With a wheelchair in tow
Michelle and I go in and park the chair
Behind the boxoffice

Michael and the band, minus Jennifer
are on stage doing sound check
Forum members are streaming in
Kelly and Brenda enter
We go upstairs to where the pre-party is
Get front row seats in the balcony
To watch sound check
Private concert, just for us
Very Cool
Very Personal

The party was cool
Just some mingling
With drinks and snacks
Before the doors are opened to the public
We go down to the stage
The venue is standing room only
The wheelchair is placed
At Michael's feet, front row
And we wait, Doors open at 7
Band hits the stage around 8:20

I'm witnessing Michael
Up close and personal
Best seat in the house
He rocked, he rolled
Could see the patches in his jeans
The sweat rolling down his face
While he performed
The best show ever

We waited for nearly an hour
For him to sign hundreds of autographs
I wasn't nervous
Wasn't star struck
It was so casual
Like seeing an old friend
I said something that cracked him up
Can't remember what, but I made him laugh
He signed my cd cover for The Ground
The one that means the most to me
And I got the autographed picture
He gave me two, so I have one that isn't signed

And then, when the crowd cleared
Only Forum members left
We gave him his gift
He stood, looking curious
Gingerly opened it
And when he saw all the many old concert shirts
His face went to stunned
He said
You guys, this is so cool
This is so cool

"Forum folks... I just wanted to thank you for all your enthusiam and support in 2005, and for the incredible MSB quilt: it is greatly appreciated and it will be treasured (and I imagine fought over in years to come). We look forward to our rather limited list of shows and sharing them with all of you makes it that much more fun for us! Once again, Merry Xmas to all of you and here's hoping 2006 will be another year of rockin' and laughin'!!!...Michael"