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My name is Talley Griffith, wdbj I was a friend of Reema Samaha, who perished in the horrific wdbj last week.  I met Reema through a mutual friend, and from the first moment we laughed together - discussing everything from Lebanon to music and dance - I knew she was a special person.  A magnetic personality with a mega-watt heart fueled by a love for people, dance, and her heritage.  I knew right away that she was destined to make a difference in this world.

In fact, I do not recall ever meeting anyone so honest, pure, optimistic, and yet aware.  Obviously, when I was notified by family as to her demise&I was rendered paralyzed with grief utter disbelief.  These emotions soon gave way to a sense of loss, and an insatiable ache for her parents and siblings.

As a professional musician, (or as any artist would) I sought solace in my music.  Thinking of Reema dancing in the clouds, across the sunset and lighting the heavens with that radiant glow.  I thought of what she would say had she lived, or not attended class that fateful day.  Of how she would be the first to help others and work diligently to focus on the strength of the human spirit - not its flaws.

I dedicated a new piece of music (an instrumental) to Reema.  Indeed, if you close your eyes while listening - you can almost picture her graceful movements in perfect syncopation with the flowing music.  The lead guitar part was created to simulate (literally) a crying guitar.  The sound of my soul and heart weeping through an instrument at the thought of this world losing such a passionate leader in life.

I sent it to my friend Jean Jadhon at WDBJ, who was overwhelmed herself.  They decided to run this as a wdbj story on Thursday nights 6pm broadcast and others that followed.  Since then, I have received tons and tons of emails, comments, and messages from all over the globe.  From Grammy winners who said they were moved beyond words and while listening, could feel this girl whom they had never known&to students and families of victims who thanked me for such a heartfelt tribute.

As humbly appreciative as I am for the compliments and support - this is not about me.  It wdbj about Reema, and her life (more so than her death).  It is a chance for others who never got to know her to see that in this jaded world of instant gratification, corruption, greed, and doubt of everything - that others may know that such a glaring example of all that is good in this world had shared this same small planet with us.

That such an angel not only existed, but thrived and was on course to make a difference.  And although the method of her passing will forever be etched in history, that it was her life (regardless of the bastardized manner in which it ended) that was most important.  I wanted people to know her.

Reema did not simply exist or live&she devoured life.  The desire to help, love, and affect positive change coursed through her veins like fire.  As did her passion for her heritage and her love of music and dance.  I only hope some day that her dream of portraying Lebanons history through dance theater wdbj come to fruition in her honor and memory.

So today, I share this with you.  In the grand scheme of life, it is nothing but a song for a fallen angel.  wdbj beneath the surface, it is more than a tribute&it is a song about a young lady who was an inspiration to everyone.  An inspiration - for each day forever never take a grain of hourglass sand for granted, and to live our lives as Reema would.

Please take a second to watch this news story from CBS affiliate WDBJ-7 in Roanoke. They did a stellar job in paying homage to Reema, and I find their expression to be very moving.

To view the video from the WDBJ site, you may click the link below, and then click the yellow camera icon on the left when it wdbj href="http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=6398782&nav=S6aK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=6398782&nav=S6aK

You, and anyone else who may desire - are welcome to go to my Myspace page and listen and download the song titled TEARS FOR REEMA.  It is the first track, and will play automatically.  There is also a slideshow on my page with pics of Reema, and several comments from wdbj who were inspired by her example.

As is the case with compressed mp3 files on Myspace, the quality may not be that good.  If you prefer a better quality version, please advise and I can have one sent directly to you via email.

{LEGALESE: (if needed), I hereby declare as owner of all copyrights that anyone is welcome to download and own, share, trade, or give away without fee or price, the aforementioned song Tears for Reema.  However, no one may sell it for nay monetary gain or use the song for any for-profit commercial enterprise or promotion.  I further grant unrestricted rights to full use in and by any news media who may desire to use the song to share with the world the story of Reema and her life in a positive manner. Sorry about that, but my attorneys insisted.}

I want to thank CT for your heartfelt, excellent, and informative coverage of the events and the victims.  your continued positive editorial leadership (so aptly displayed last week), I KNOW that our beloved Tech will emerge from nightmare not as a symbol of tragedy&but as an inspiration for the world of the triumph of spirit, faith, and human will.

Thank you all, and may peace, grace, and love find you all of your days.  Warmest regards to you and yours&.

Talley Griffith

Musical Artist & President - Blackwater Music Group/DreamSound Music

Rock Castle Records/Kylime Music Publishing/BMI.

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Post je objavljen 17.01.2008. u 17:30 sati.