To make me who I am — Aaron Neville

Seven weeks ago today I left Gadsden, Alabama with one little guy from the HSUS AL 44. Little BEN. We crossed three state lines. I listened to Aaron Neville. And wept. Yep. Everything's gonna be alright.

Little BEN is in foster with the Pratt family. KONA, NINA, KIRA, BLUE, RAY RAY and NICK are teaching him absoflippingluteley everything there is to know about singing "I am DOG" loud, clear and fearless. Darren, Michelle, Alex and Tori are doing everything right — leaving Little BEN alone and letting him come to them. It's all about time and respect. Little BEN is learning to trust humans. Long road for him.

To Make Me Who I Am

I’ve walked through this world sometimes without a friend
My life has been up and down, been close to an end
But I’ve been through the mill
And I’ve paid my dues
Walked so many miles in different peoples shoes

But I’ve been through the fire
And I’ve walked in the rain
I’ve felt the joy and endured the pain

Once I was a schemer
But I always was a dreamer
But it took me who I was and where I’ve been
To make me who I am

I’ve met a lot of lost souls in the bowels of hell
Traveled some crooked roads, got some stories yet to tell
I’ve shot up with the junkie, in piss stench halls
Broken bread with the devil, fallen on my knees to god
Some days I was blessed, some nights I was damned
But I always tried to lend a helping hand

Once I was a deceiver
Not I am a believer
But it took me who I was and where I’ve been
To make me who I am

Oh, I’ve seen the little children, all strung out on dope
No one to care about them, living without hope
But I’ve been lucky that I always had a song
I’ll sing it with compassion, to try to right the wrong.

Once my life was wretched
But why should I regret it
Cuz, it took me who I was, and where I’ve been
To make me who I am

Speech:
This is dedicated to my friends in jail
For my brother jake who had to ride the rail
For my friend roonie and melvin, who were so dear
They were so misunderstood
But I wish they were still here
To hear this song I sing from my heart
They’re forever in my soul, even though we had to part

Once I was a deceiver
Not I am a believer
But it took me who I was and where I’ve been
To make me who I am

God said I forgive you
Wipe away the scars
Cause I know it took who you were
And where you came from
To make you who you are

Cause I know it took who you were
And where you came from
To make you what you are Sphere: Related Content

Stand by me — Aaron Neville

Go here to listen:

Stand by me

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll seehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me

If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me-e, yeah

Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me

Darlin', darlin', stand by me-e, stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me

Lyrics: Ben E. King

"Born January 24, 1941, Aaron is the third of the four famous Neville Brothers of New Orleans. A product of that city's richly complex musical culture, his first vocal model was older brother Art, keyboardist and founder of the Meters. Brother Charles played sax with B.B. King while brother Cyril became Aaron's partner in a funk band they called the Soul Machine."

"Throughout the sixties Aaron recorded for local Louisiana labels, but it wasn't until 1966 that he broke onto the national scene with "Tell It Like It Is," the plaintive ballad that went #1 on the pop charts, a song still considered a classic in the annals of American music. Issued on the obscure Par-Lo Records, the hit unfortunately coincided with the label's demise. With no follow-up and few royalties, Aaron's career stalled. Beset by demons both professional and personal, he struggled for the next ten years." Sphere: Related Content

KAZU — one little guy in New York

Chief Joseph said "It does not require many words to speak the truth."

The truth about KAZU is that he needs our help. And quickly. As does the lady who took him into her home, vetted him, gave him safe haven, warmth, love. This is quite simply a time to help a beautiful four-legged by helping his two-legged guardian. You can read his story, see more pictures and videos here.

"When we speak of "mitakuye oyasin" [all my relatives], we know always that the growing and moving things of the earth, the winged, the four-legged, and the two legged are all children of the earth and they, too, want to live. So we say mitakuye oyasin." Black Elk Sphere: Related Content