A Few Words From Mark VanGuy

Mark wanted to write a word of thanks to all the "Vanatics" for your love and support this past year. As many of you know, about a year ago Mark was stricken with Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy, a condition which has robbed him of most of his vision.

But, he hasn't let this stop him from living life to the fullest, playing music, or being a great friend to everyone that knows him. He asked me to post his letter, but being stubborn as he is, would not accept help writing it.  So, here's it is.
 

Only, I  did forgot to tell him the spacebar on the desktop sticks. -Shane 

HeyVanatics,Ijustwantedtotakeafewminutestotellyouallwhatablessingyouhavebeentomeduringthistime.EveryshowweplayandalltheloveIputouttherewhileperformingIfeelisgivenrightbacktome1,000timesover.YouallarethereasonmylifeisfullandexcitingandIcannotbegintotellyouhowmuchIappreciateallofyou.IwillneverletmyvisionkeepmefromseeinghowluckyIamtohaveyouallinmylife.But,Idohavesomecomplaints.Firstoff,ShanehasbeenbuyingStoreBrandFrostedFlakes!HethinksIcan'ttellthedifference.ImaybeblindbutIhaven'tlostmytaste!IdemandTonyontheboxorImnoteatingit!It'snotright.Iwillnotbetakenadvantageof!Second,JustbecauseIcantseeaswelldoesnotmeanIamstupid.IknowgoodandwellwedidnotplaySweetCarolineatlastnightsshow!Shaneagreedtoputitonthesetlist,butwhenIaskedhimheliedandsaidwejustplayeditlastset!Iknowforafactwedidnt!Heisnotonlylyingtome,heispreventingyougoodpeoplefromhearinganAmericanClassic!JustbecauseIcantreadthesetlistdoesntmeanIcantrememberthedamnsongsweplayed!But,That'senoughrantingfromme,Iwantedtowritethisasaremindertoallofyouwhatthepowerofmusicandfriendshipcando.Athankyouandawordofencouragementtoanyonefacingatoughtimerightnow,askforhelp,accepthelp,andloveeachother,togetherwecandoanything.I'mhereforyouifanyofyouneedme.Thankyouall,andthankyouShaneforhelpingmewritethis,See,I'mnotstubborn.Keeprockin'-Mark