Ever since I first hear John sing waaaaay back in the late '60's it was my hearts desire to someday meet him. In July of '89,  my wish was fulfilled.

        In May of '89 my father had passed away. I had such a terrible time dealing with it that I went into sort of a depression. I couldn't shake it, no matter how hard I tried.

        A few weeks later, I got a call from one of my dear friends, Cathie Marx, we had met years earlier through her husband David's mom.  She ran the John Denver fan club, The Higher We Fly. Cathie and Dave were involved in the Chicago Windstar Connection. She excitedly told me that John was coming to Chicago for a lecture! AND that for a mere donation of $50.00 each, we could go to a reception afterwards! Normally I would have leaped at the chance, but the timing was off for this.

        After much persuasion from Cathie, I gave in. She can really work on a person! LOL! Arrangements were made and on July 18, we were headed to Chicago via a small commuter plane, American Eagle. We arrived at O'hare International Airport with Cathie and Dave waiting. We all hugged, of course (haven't met any JD family, that didn't).

        We were to meet Patty and her hubby, Robin later on. They had rented a car at the airport and would drive to Cathie and Dave's apartment.

        I was a nervous wreck! What would they think of me? I mean here was the famous Patty and Robin Peavey that I had heard so much about. I mean Patty HAD won the Dreamland Express Contest that VH1 had sponsored and she actually had met John up close and personal! What would they think of me? Would they like me? Worry, stew, fret....

        In what seemed like HOURS, the phone rang and Robin called Cathie to tell her they were renting a car and would arrive shortly. Now, I was sweating bullets! Oh, man....nail biting time!

         I looked out the window every few mintues and when a car passed or slowed down, I was sure it was them. Cathie tried to reassure me that both Patty and Robin would LOVE me..and that Patty was shy about meeting new people too. Yeah, right, I thought to myself..

        It was growing dusk and I wondered if they would EVER get there. Just as I was beginning to relax a bit, a car pulls up to the apartment. Patty and Robin had arrived!

        No sooner than you can say, hi my name is...Patty was crossing over to me to give me a hug!. The barriers that I had made for myself, were broken down instantly. It was like meeting family, the warmth  and love was truly there. No need for the "small talk" or ackwardness that comes from meeting new people for the first time.

        Dave grilled steaks (or hamburgers- can't remember) as we all sat around talking about the next day's events. The Chicago Theater and John's lecture about the environment.

         I must have pumped both Patty and Robin a zillion times about stories of John. What was he really like? All the normal questions, or at least normal for me. Soon I had Patty laughing so hard, she had tears. She told me that one of the first things John told her was that she was the first one he had ever met who had won a contest! We all laughed at that and talked for hours until none of us could hold our heads up, we were so weary.

        The next day as we were eating breakfast, Cathie and Dave told us about an interview John was doing for a local radio station. They set up their tape recorder and before we went back to our prospective homes, they gifted us each with a copy. We listened intently when John was speaking about the Windstar Connection Group (as I stated earier that Cathie and Dave were members of) that was hosting his lecture. He said that it wasn't a concert and if people were thinking it was, then they would be surprized. He did say, however, that he would be singing some, showing slides, and informing people about ways that they could help their communitites clean up their environments.

        Soon it was time to get ready. In my haste, I had forgotten my makeup, earrings, and curling iron. I thought I looked a mess, but everyone else said I looked fine. Again my nervousness almost overpowered me. I tried to calm down, but I was shaking like a leaf! We all got ready and headed down to the beautiful Chicago Theater. We waited patiently (ok, well perhaps not too patiently! LOL!) for the doors to open. We met other JD fans and began talking to them. We were all relieved when the doors opened and we were allowed in.

        We quickly found our seats and soon music started playing (Higher Ground, of course) and John came out. He put on a wonderful lecture and we discovered so many ways in which to help our environment and we still practice to this day. It's about more than just recycling, it's reading labels on packages and buying recycled items. Picking up trash wherever you find it. Educating  your children to become responsible adults. We can all make a difference.

        All too soon the lecture came to an end. But now was the "icing on the cake". The reception! People who didn't have tickets for the reception were ushered out of the theater and tables were brought in. Trays brimming with cheeses and things were brought in. Fondue pots were placed on the tables along with cherries.  As Patty and I were helping ourselves, I was so nervous I dropped a chocolate covered cherry on my blouse! I was horrified! Patty tried to calm me down, and she went with me to the ladies' room to clean up. Thank goodness my blouse was black!

        When we returned, John had entered the room. He was sort of doing a circle with greeting people. The closer he got to me, the further away I backed up. Of course the room was so filled that he didn't see me. Unfortunatly I ran into Robin and Manuel. Robin, in his most fatherly tone, informed me that he had been speaking with Manuel and how Manuel told him him how this had been a dream come true for me. Robin looked me straight in the eyes and told me that if I didn't go meet John, I may NEVER have another chance (as I look back in retrospect, I never thought how true Robin's words would be). I turned around and slowly made my way through the crowd. I guess I wasn't moving fast enough because I felt someone gently shoving me. I turned around to see Robin. He smiled and as I was turning back around he shoved me almost into John! I looked up at John and he just smiled. He held out his hand to me and said, "And you are?" Believe or not, for an instant (which seemed an eternity) I had a loss of memory. I had forgotten my own name! I soon found my voice and told him my name. I shook his hand and told him what a wonderful lecture he had given and that from that day forward, I pledged to do all I could  do to help my community and the environment. He thanked me and then saw Robin with his trusty camera. John  looked at me and asked ME if I wanted a picture with HIM! I sort of nodded or something and he spun me around, put his arm around me and Robin snapped our picture. Soon John was moving around the room onto more people, but it was a meeting I will never forget. My heartfelt thanks go to Cathie and Dr. David Marx and also  Patty and Robin Peavey.