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Speaking with Bee Gees fans about their devotion to Barry, Robin and Maurice is always like having the hot fudge sundae with the cherry on top after you’ve had the perfect day where everything went right in your life. This week’s story comes from my file of Valentine stories….short, but it’s oh so poignant. I hope you like it.

Anita

Syracuse, NY

February, 2007

The Bee Gees will always be my favorite band because they have seen me through all the toughest times of my life and made me smile no matter what was happening. When you’re dedicated to a group like I am, the pull has to be pretty strong when there is so much other music out there to experience. I do listen to other artists, but it’s all mundane compared to Barry, Robin and Maurice. Even though they never knew, they helped me when I was a child. Sometimes kids go through hard times that are worse than adult life challenges; at least it seems so at the time. I used to be bullied for being fat. No one knows how that feels unless it’s been a part of life every day. Middle school was hell. I’d fight through the day, from the bus stop through the gym class and the hall taunts. I’d come home and Mom would be playing her Bee Gees albums so loud! I’d get totally involved in their songs. In high school, they’d help me forget all the problems of the day. I was madly in love with Jimmy, my high school crush, who ignored me and married his cute blond, busty girlfriend right after graduation. So, I’d escape to the music. I’d also escape through movies. I loved movies, but the Bee Gees seemed to soothe my bruised heart more. As I went through the years….I married the wrong guy….got divorced…was alone again..I’d still go back to the one constant in my life…seeing Barry, Robin and Maurice perform live was a dream…watching their Live By Request concert …buying every single album….sort of like taking anti-depressants without any side effects. I’m questioning sometimes why I’m alone without a partner in my life, especially now at Valentine’s Day when “romantic love’ is portrayed as the most wonderful thing in life and a person is made to feel incomplete without it, but there’s a reason for everything. I just haven’t got the answer yet.  It’s the question of WHY? That makes us crazy. When the fans lost Maurice, the “whys” were screamed out around the world. The peace of mind comes in knowing I can see You Tube videos, play the albums and have them with me whenever I want. Unless you’re a fan, it might be hard to understand just how much that helps a single person who has grown up with them. All around the world people are fulfilled in different ways, and sometimes music shows us the love that is all around us. Everyone has their bad days and bad times and deals with them differently. For me, the Bee Gees are my rock. I don’t have to answer any deep questions about the power of the music. I just know they’re the best band who ever played or wrote a note, and they share my life daily. My Mom was so devoted to them, and she shared that devotion with me. Pity the people who didn’t have a Mom like mine.