Thursday, September 2, 2010

A Letter to Fred Hammond...

Dear Fred,

I have known you since I was in my mothers whom. I heard you voice and danced to your tunes from the time I could stand. My family loves your music ministry since you formed Commissioned in 1982. My mom, my dad, my uncles and even my grand parents were ecstatic that a group was formed that did gospel music in a way that spoke personally to them. I remember long vacation drives, sitting on my knees, staring out of the back windshield, singing "love is the way" to the people in the car behind us...lol

I grew up to your music and my life was changed by the words you used to describe the love of your life. There was a sense of excitement in our house every time we heard of a new release, and the time we spent waiting for it to finally come to South Africa were agonising. I used to sit for hours learning the lyrics to the songs once we got the album and would always be the popular one in Sunday school because I always knew your music best.

Your music took us through dark times too. In October 2005, when you finally were coming to SA, my grandfather passed. I was in the car on my way to your first show and had no idea that my dear oupa (O paa) had gone to be with the Lord. My mom was with him when he passed and chose not to tell me since I had been waiting years for you to come to our country. She did not want to make it a sad occasion.
My entire family came to see the show on the Friday in honour of my grandad and in the words of my Uncle E "Life would not be the same if we did not go and see Fred Hammond, and dad would want us to go"

I am so grateful that I have had your music as the theme song to many events in my life. You have given me great memories to relive with my kids and now when I watch L sit and learn the lyrics to "Take my Hand"  on the 'Love Unnstopable' album, I hope that he enjoys good memories from your music as well.

Thank you for listening to the heart of God and fulfilling your destiny in the way He intended for you.
You have truly been a blessing in out lives and will probably never know it.

With the Love from our Father

M.Jay.

This Post was inspired my Mama Kat's writers Workshop - Prompt no 4.


Open letter to a celebrity.




3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how much music impacts our lives... I hope my son grows up wanting to listen to Miles Davis and Coletrane (mama's favs!)

Tanya said...

Music has clearly impacted both of our lives since we choose the same propt! This was a really touching story. My mom's family is German and I called my grandparents Oma and Opa. I always smile when I hear others use those names as well. Have a great day!

Angie said...

I really enjoyed your post (and your blog).

Found you a Mama Kat's!