2000-2001 "Reflections and Hopes"

REFLECTION: Well, here it is 2001 already! It seems that I just sat down yesterday to write this same letter to you, when in fact, one year has passed. The year 2000 came and went so fast that I hardly believe that it ever was here. When I was in 3rd or 4th grade I and my class mates were asked to ponder the year 2000 and figure out what our age would be and what we might be doing at that time. I remember thinking that I would be almost 40 years old, half way through life, and that thought alone seemed ridiculous and sad. Yet, here I am almost 40 and thinking that my life has turned out pretty much the way I thought it would. It's kind of spooky knowing that I would envision my life at such a young age and have it end up in much the same place. I guess you could say that there is something to be said about destiny.

I have decided not to reread last years letter in order to escape a little monotony and be able to write this letter with a little more imagination. The year 2000 was very much the same as 1999 as far as the music business goes, BUSY! As I approach 40 I continue to hear people say, "Your 40's will be the best years of your life!". Looking back over my life I can't help but think that I've already lived the best years of my life. I truly cannot think of anything that could have made my life happier, with the exception of having more time to do more and be more. With that in mind, I've set my sites on 2001 as a year to do just that.

My wife, Barb, and I have been working on a little "getaway" spot in the wilderness where we intend to spend some relaxation and revitalization time. So, if you see a few less bookings in my schedule this year you can be sure that I'll be rejuvenating at our hideout.

I know that many of you are waiting for the "NEW STEVE MEISNER RECORDING, OR THAT NEW SONG BOOK". I have repeatedly said that "I just haven't had the time to get these things done", and I'm tired of making excuses so.........my intentions are to focus on bringing you all what you have been waiting for. Hopefully, I'll be able to slip in a few surprises along the way.

FAMILY: What can I say......my girl's are no longer babies.......they're teenager's, UHG! I love the thought of having my two eldest children as girls, but I'm just not very prepared for their social independence. You know what I mean, boy's.......girl's, coming and going.......the phone constantly ringing, "Hello, is Whitney or Lindsey there?". And then there's Austin, only 8, trying to compete with his sister's and feeling left out if he doesn't have friends coming and going and calling all of the time too. YIKES! It's too much for me to deal with. It makes me realize that having your family grow up around you means that my life has become bigger than "me" and that as they grow more independent in there life they need more room to grow. Huh, an epiphany! (I just wanted to use that word). I'm sure many of you are chuckling right about know, thinking about how you've been there and done that.

My sister, Michelle, brought a baby girl, Anna Marie, into the world and received an engagement ring too! Mom & Dad are doing well and seem to keep busy with their lives. My brother, Dan, is still living and working in Seattle, WA. We've all experienced some trials in the last year and lost a few close friends and relatives, but have managed to come through another year a little better for it all.

FRIENDS: I would have to say that, with out a doubt, I have enjoyed my friendships more in the past year than ever. I've made many new friends through my music and shored up some of my closer relationships and have appreciated the experience of having them. I've watched many of them grow into their own and blossom. I am continually amazed at how the human spirit takes a seemingly long time to allow us to learn and make mistakes until we finally get it right. Then it dumps a load of sunshine on us as if we knew all along that things would work out. But, we never would have realized the wonder of it all with out the struggle to get there.

HOPES: My hopes for myself, and all of you, are that we continue to prosper and allow our hearts and souls to be inspired by the world around us. I hope that we all can experience a little sunshine along the way to get us through the struggle in order to realize the wonder of the big picture that life has to offer us. Oh yeah, have a little fun along the way too!

God Bless,

Steve