Especially you, Erik. Black Garden was one of the first dreams/goals I've ever had in my life, and even now, it doesn't feel right playing a damn thing without hearing your spin on it first. Kicking around ideas with you was always something I looked forward to, even if it was terrible and I knew it was, I'd throw it out there just to pass it back and forth (insert some STD joke here) with you.

I want to thank all of you who knew, supported, and encouraged Black Garden, and even more specificially, Erik and myself. That support and encouragement is something I will never, EVER, forget. I started out as a shitty musician, but I still dreamed, and I still felt the music, and nobody here stepped on that, ever. Erik, I lack the God-given talent that you have, my friend, so stick with it. You're fucking brilliant, man. You really are. You have all those great ideas, so when you get done reading this, get the fuck up, walk over, and pick up your guitar. Write another incredible tune, and try not to let all that fame go to your head, haha. You'll be great, man. Just stick with it. Dig deep, and stick with it. It's your dream, and dreams are something that nobody can ever take from you. I also know you have the capacity and the talent and the absolute drive, when you dig deep, to take those dreams and turn them into actual realizations, man. Fucking do it.

I wanted very much to succeed, and play music until the day I die. Music is the only thing that has ever given me any kind of comfort, or solace, or outlet, in my entire life. I was, and will always be, nothing, without my music and what it means to me. It's simply everything.

Raina, you're the man, babe. You're a wonderful lady, and no shit, I love you. Take care of yourself, doll.

Lefty, keep your chin up. Bad shit happens to us all, and you're living fucking proof of what it means to pick yourself back up again. Just keep grinning through the gunsmoke, and at the end of it all, remember that yesterday's box score is just that- yesterday's. That's where it belongs. You're a stand-up man, I'm pretty sure you know it.

Harrison, you son of a bitch. You're still gay. But we all love you anyway.

There are a lot of people here from the old board I didn't mention, but you're all wonderful people, united by the common love of a single band, whose music is not only literally life saving to a lot of people, but inspirational, as well. Staind is the fucking reason I picked up a guitar in the first place.

You guys may all be wondering why the fuck I'm writing this (I'm Nova, by the way), and I guess maybe it won't be as big a deal to everyone else as it is to me. A couple days ago marked the anniversary of 9/11, something that makes me weep tears of absolute fucking rage every time I see footage or hear phone calls recorded on that day. I have not forgotten, and I will damn sure never forgive the murder of 3,000 innocent people by the Muslim extremists on that day. Don't think I'm racist, I'm not. I have sat down and eaten at a Muslim family's table. One of my best friends is Muslim, even. I can say that overall, they are kind, compassionate, conservative, hard-working, intelligent people. I refuse to judge an entire people based on the actions of a few radicals. I would be sincerely disappointed in anyone if they did so.

I'm enlisting in the Army under the MOS 18X, which is basically an opportunity to try out for Special Forces. My GT score on the ASVAB was 123, so I know I qualify intellectually, and as for the physical part...Well, to put it bluntly, I'm a fucking beast. I can run a mile in seven minutes (which is a bit slow, but I haven't run in years), and can knock out fifty-eight push ups a minute and around sixty sit ups a minute. Yes, it is a combat job. Yes, I will most likely be deployed somewhere in the Middle East. No, I am not afraid.

I'm signing my contract in about two weeks, and until I actually ship out for basic, I'll try to stop by and say heyo once in a while. After that, though, I don't know if I'll really get the opportunity to ever try and contact any of you again. The way I see it, I'm young, intelligent, and incredibly fit, and there are people I care about enough to want to do whatever it takes to make sure that they are living in a better world than they did yesterday. So I will. Whatever it takes.

I wanted to write this letter to let you all know that somewhere, sometime, you each did something monumental for me. Even if it wasn't that big. Occasionally, it was even as simple as validating my feelings as a human being. That...that's something that can't go unappreciated. So, I wanted to say thank you, to all of you, and that it's been an absolute blast knowing you. You're all great people.

Erik, keep at it, man. You're gonna be a fucking star.

See you 'round.

Kyle from the Garden.

P.S.- Add me on facebook if you feel up to it. I'd love to get letters while I'm in basic, and I think facebook would be the easiest way to let people know the address to send them to. Search for Kyle Lowry, I'm the tool in the white shirt on the beach.

i added you....good luck

Despite my political views on all this, I want to wish you luck and hope that you stay safe. Thanks for your service.

I wish you all the luck in training and if you go overseas. you're a good kid. take care man.

nova, i never really got a chance to know ya....but i know you're good people...good luck with everything you do in your future...thanks for doing what you do to make sure everyone else can live freely...stay safe man, and keep us updated...T

A man gotta do what he gotta do, right? Just try to be safe and never forget about us here that will miss you a lot!

I'll add you on facebook for sure! Good luck!

I don't post on here very often but I do come and read what you guys have been up to, a great group of people. My son is in the Army Infantry 1st Cav he is stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. His company just came back from Iraq in June 2009 after being there for almost a year. That is too long for them to be there. However, he is back and safe and only 7 hours down the road from his "Moma" Ha! Ha!. I admire you guys and gals who make the choice to serve our country. Good luck to you and we will keep you in our prayers. Proud Mom of an Army soldier-- Veree

You know, it's probably in all likelihood harder on the families of people who serve than it is on the folks who actually do it. I mean, we get training. We know what to do, how to do it, and when to do it, you know? But there's no training for sending your kid to the Middle East...

I already posted this to the thread you made on the other board. But, I wanted to post it here, too, in case you came here and not there:

GD, Kyle! When I first saw the title of this thread, I was afraid I was going to read a suicide note (& I guess in a terribly prophetic way it still could be, though I pray that won't be the freaking case!).

Darlin' you are one of the most intelligent, insightful, caring, deep, and hillarious fags young men around. Not to mention your great taste AND talent in music, and a young hottie w/such a deep sexy voice, to boot. ;] I have SO missed your calls and serial posting w/you on the boards, filled w/ridiculously random and intelligently retarded humor.

Knowing you, and knowing how much you care for and do for others, this does not surprise me. I already have missed you, as well as many others on here, since I haven't been able to be around. But, now it looks like I'll miss you even more. Stay SAFE, kid! I know you're a man, now. But, you'll always be just one of the most all-around amazing kids I've ever known. You and E-Rock. You both have shown me there IS hope for the future...that some young people are not sheep, just by embracing your natural intellect, wit, ear for music, empathy for others, etc. By not being afraid or ashamed to think differently, stand up for what you think/believe/care for, not go w/the status quo to not be seen and/or ostrisized for being seen as different (too smart, crazy, and/or weird lol). You guys are empathetic, caring young men growing up in a climate where it's actually now looked down upon to be so, since being self-centered, selfish, and lacking any and all sense of right, loyalty, or altruism is now looked down upon/not cool. You 2 are two of the few people that even if I were to totally disagree w/you, I still respected you and your opinions, since I knew they really WERE your opinions, not what you've been force fed and virtually brainwashed to think. Also, that you have the intelligence to really have thoughts and ideas of your own and to expound on them, as well as comprehend whatever I or virtually anyone else has to say. It's so refreshing, particularly when all that we seem to see and hear is how apparently COOL it is to be illiterate thoughtless, selfish drones. It's...you're both so refreshing and inspiring!

I already loved you, hun. And, I already had the utmost respect for you. But, although I selfishly wish you weren't doing this, I love and respect you even more, now. I honestly cried when I read this, and am again as I finish responding to it. Sorry about the probably incoherent and random ramblings of an old lady, but wtf, IBAW. ;]

You better keep up w/your FB and let the Rainager know you're okay on a regular basis, you fag son!

I luv ya, kid.

Stay smart, stay hillarious, and most importantly stay SAFE!!!

Godspeed,
The Rainager

Keep your chin up, love. How about you send me your number in a PM, and I'll give you a call soon? It'd be great to talk to you again.

Yeah, we'll have to do a 3 way like we used to.


A call this time though.

LoL Sounds like a plan. PMing now.