I was raised with country music. My parents loved Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride and Loretta Lynn. In fact, my first concert was a Johnny Cash concert when I was about 7 years old! I do love my rock-n-roll, but country music has always been my favorite.
After grad school, in 1994, I was living and working in California. I loved Cali - the weather, the ocean, the sunshine, and Silicon Valley. During that year, I was going through a break-up and a medical scare - cancer. One day I was driving home from a business meeting and a "new" artist came on the local country station - Toby Keith! I still remember driving over the Dumbarton Bridge, thinking how my life sucked (loser boyfriend, cancer threat and missing my family back East) when "Who's That Man" came on the radio. For whatever reason, the lyrics and deep voice of Toby clicked and from then on I was hooked on his music!
Fast forward a few years later. I was back home, cancer-free and married to a wonderful man. We went through years of infertility trying to conceive. While going through painful infertility treatments, I would turn up the volume on the CD player in my SUV to Toby's CD's on my drive back and forth to my doctors appointments. Despite the doctors best efforts, and endless prayers, it was determined that we had "unexplained infertility" and adoption would be our best option. Through all of our heart-ache, I just couldn't bring myself to adopt domestically. Too many rules and a great risk of the birth mother changing their mind at the last minute, which would leave us with a broken heart and without a baby. Since domestic adoption was out, international adoption it was - South Korea.
It didn't take long to adopt from South Korea. We fell in love with siblings - an almost two year old boy and his younger sister. The paperwork filed, money paid and within five months our children were home forever. Being a Mom was tough. Prior to being a stay-at-home Mom, I was a system engineer for a major hardware company. I traveled about 90% of the time, worked with the big three automakers (Ford was one of my favorite clients) and I was on the cutting edge of technology. Because our son was in an orphanage prior to coming home, the hubby and I decided it would be best if I stayed home to help him adjust. During this time of adjustment, it was Toby's music that got me through the good and bad days.
When our son was about 7 years old, we started to notice that his behavior was getting worse and not better. After 6 months of visiting several doctors, he was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome - autism. We were saddened and at a loss on how to help him. In a moments notice, he would have a meltdown - throwing himself on the floor at stores, screaming, yelling, crying and throwing whatever he could find. People would stare, I am sure they were thinking I was a parent that had no control of my child. They were right to a point - I had very little control of an autistic meltdown!! I love my son, but dealing with the effects of autism SUCKS. Not only is the child miserable, so is his entire family with having to endure the erratic behavior and the meltdowns.
The diagnosis was made just over 6 years ago. Our life hasn't changed much. We are still dealing with meltdowns, crazy behavior, school calling/emailing weekly, therapist appointments, medicine rechecks, physical therapy, occupational therapy...etc, etc. Once again, Toby's music has been a God-send. During these difficult times, Toby was there for me. His music has moved from the CD's to my iPod, iPad and my Droid phone. Just this morning on the way to school, my son was acting up in the SUV. That is when I cranked up the iPod a little louder and sang "Beers Ago". And yes, I did feel better!!
Since those early days in California to today, Toby has been a major part of my life. I have been to MANY concerts and have had the opportunity to meet Toby a couple times. Thankfully my wonderful husband, a non-country music guy, has humored me by going to Toby concerts with me and taking me to eat at "I Love This Bar" when we are in the area!!
Toby, I told you this story, short form, when I saw you last year. Thank you for all that you do.
Love from your biggest fan, Country Girl From Michigan
