They say life mirrors art and, in 2005, the above lines from a poem I wrote in 1996 called God’s Promise, became very real for me... and changed my life.

When Times Seem Dark and Dreary
The symptoms of ADD include: mood swings, losing perspective and focus, forgetfulness, hyperactivity, extreme sensitivity and shyness, low self-esteem and excessive worry.
The worst symptom, for me, is the chronic sense of insecurity that floods over me. I feel like my world is going to collapse around me and it fills me with paralysing fear. These attacks are terrifying.
However, there is a positive side to having ADD, which is that many people with ADD are very creative. I have many creative gifts and the one I’ve felt drawn to pursue is poetry. I write Angel-Inspired Poetry. I usually play music for inspiration then let my poems flow into my mind. I publish my poems on a variety of gift items and sell them in gift shops in New Zealand and through my website. I have also published books of my poetry.

A Person
In January 2005, I went to the library to borrow some CD’s to use as inspiration for writing my poems. Today I found myself drawn to a CD by Michael Crawford. I picked it up then put it back on the shelf, thinking it wouldn’t be for me. But as I continued browsing I felt a strong need to go back and get it. So I did.
I played Michael’s CD as soon as I got home and was blown away! His voice was amazing. And so healing. I think my angels in Heaven knew I’d be needing help from an earth angel this year, and they guided me to Michael’s CD. How grateful I am!

A promise
During 2005 my symptoms got much worse and the knowledge that there’s no cure for ADD made me feel very depressed. In June I became so sad and tired of being terrorised by ADD that all I could think about was ending my life.

However, God had sent me an earth angel called Michael and, with the help of his healing voice and my own heavenly angels, I made it through that horrible dark time. It was also in June that my friend tried to cheer me up by saying, “Michael’s going to Australia next year.” When I got the news in November from Michael’s fan club that he was going to Australia in 2006, I asked my friend what made him say that back in June. He said the thought just came into his mind. But looking back, I can see that this was God’s promise to me. He was simply using my friend’s voice to speak to me.

Brighter Days Ahead
I arrived in Hobart on 20th February, 2006, went to my accommodation and cried. I had travelled alone for the first time and I was scared and exhausted. The next day I seriously considered going back home to Christchurch. But it was the night of Michael’s concert and my desire to see him was stronger than my fears, so I stayed. I’m so glad I did!

Some of the members from his fan club had come over from America for his Australian concerts. I joined them for dinner and then we made our way to the Derwent Entertainment Centre for the concert. I had thought I’d be feeling nervous and even emotional at this point, but I was surprisingly calm.

We reached the Entertainment Centre and it was like stepping into another world.  Most people with ADD have a need for high stimulation, and my senses were being stimulated.
The lights were dancing and the audience buzzing as they searched for their seats. The atmosphere was electric. I loved it! We found our seats and I was delighted to find that we were four rows from the stage.

Michael was magic. He puts his heart and soul into his performance. I could feel his energy as it left him and flowed into the audience. It was a magical, unforgettable night. Thank heavens I never went home early! A few weeks later, I saw him again at his one New Zealand concert in New Plymouth.

I've Learned...
When I look back at how far I’ve come and the things I’ve done over the past year, I am amazed. I think I know how Christine in Phantom of the Opera felt! But I am glad I fell under the Phantom’s spell, because it has changed my life in so many positive ways.

I’ve learnt to ALWAYS listen to and follow the guidance of my inner voice (eg: taking Michael’s CD home from the library).
I've learned that desire is stronger than fear - use it to help you push through fear and achieve your dreams.
I've learned that God sends the earth angels into our lives that He knows will help us the most. And they may not be who we’d expect him to send (I would never have guessed that my earth angel would be Michael Crawford). Anyone can be an angel in disguise who will change your life!

Most importantly, I’ve learnt to never lose hope or give up in times of darkness. When I was at Michael’s concert in Hobart, I remember thinking, “If I had ended my life last June, I wouldn’t be sitting here now!” The most unexpected, marvellous, life-changing things happen when you least expect them to - I think God does this just to see the look on your face!

Having ADD will always make life a challenge for me, but I am going to pass on the help and healing I have received from Michael by continuing to touch people’s hearts with my own gift of poetry. And if I can touch half as many hearts as Michael has touched, how blessed I’ll be!

A Humble Rose of Red
Oh, and the humble rose of red? Why, God’s handing it to you right now... it’s His promise of brighter days ahead. Take it, thank Him, and enjoy... you deserve it!