Dear whoever reads this page,

I had nothing worth saying.

I strived to be witty, funny, original, artistic, romantic.

But beneath it all, I had nothing worth saying.

Then I heard about a man who had a dream the night before. Something or other about a girl named Jamie, and a trip to Las Vegas.

I heard how these girls make boys cry.

I heard how my home state suddenly got colder.

I questioned if everyone around me was make-believe.

I spent a few too many nights crying around the chords of a piano; D. A. Bm. A. G. A. A#M. And so on.

I recalled how when the lightning and the thunder had me clinging to my father's heart.

And I quoted the reasons of Why I was Home too many times in order to justify the juvenile pains and childish heartbreaks that clutter growing up.

I don't want to sound cliche. I don't want to sound like another adoring fan who's musical idol changed his life. But it's true, and if it's cliche it means that Jason has done his job well. I owe that man alot. Whether he knows it or not, whether he reads this or passes me by, I owe him for who I am today.

I'm 17 years old, and every day I wake up. I strive to be witty, funny, original, artistic, and romantic.

Whenever I seem to get lost, I think of the man who paved the road before me.

And I gain the courage to go on.

Thank you Jason. You mean so much to me.

Forever in gratitude,

Chris Diorio