Hi, I'm Shaylee. :) I'm 22 years young. I can't actually play guitar that well, but I like to try. ;)
This is my blog and I've been writing in it ever since I moved here to Lake Mary, Florida near Orlando. I'm a singer/songwriter with a dream to make music that changes the world.
I DID grow up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I lived there for 19 years before I left. I still consider it home and it is definitely where my heart is. Practically all my family lives there. I'm a Wasson T-Bird (spent all my school years in District 11) and after graduating I attended New Life School of Worship where I met my husband, David. Then I got married and moved. Leaving the Springs was extremely hard for me. I missed hiking, climbing, running in fresh air, and most of all--the mountains. I feel alive when I'm in them and I guess a part of me hasn't been the same since I left them.
So, it comes as no surprise that when my parents called me and told me about a fire in the mountains, my heart sank to the floor. And then when Tuesday the 26th rolled around, every single one of my friends started posting pictures on facebook and I was right there with you all--no sleep, worried, praying nonstop just wanting to see a miracle. It was that day that my uncle Brad, aunt Lynn and cousins Delaney & Lunden were asked to evacuate their homes (they lived on Ashton Park Place). When my uncle had gone back to his house to get some more valuables Tuesday afternoon, the smoke was so thick he couldn't even see in front of him. It was so eerie and he didn't see any more people driving near his streets, so he left.
It was confirmed a few days later that they lost their house. I can't imagine the feeling of not being able to come back to a place you've built memories in and to a place where you've raised a family. I thank God that they are all safe and they seem to have such a positive outlook on it all and it really has made me inspired and has made me think about gratitude and being okay without possessions. I've had to ask myself if I lost everything, would I still have my faith? It's a hard question to answer.
{ Enter picture of my family here as soon as I get a good one!! :) }
During the day the fire started to the time structures started burning, I knew there wasn't much I could do but pray (and us Floridians were praying hard for you all, too) and create something that would inspire. So, I immediately thought of "America the Beautiful." To me, that song is the epitome of the Colorado mountains and that view you see at the top.
Music is a universal language and it speaks when words can't. I'm so glad that this video has touched you and inspired because that was my hope and prayer while recording this, finding images, and telling you the story of my family. Thank you to the firefighters who are risking their lives to protect this AMAZING city, and my heart continues to go out to those of you who lost a home (or a loved one). Please share your stories with me, I would love to hear them! I am overwhelmed by the stories I've read so far of loss and hope. I know, without a doubt, Colorado Springs will rebuild and will come out stronger than ever because you all are the definition of what community looks like and I'm proud to be associated with all of you.
I posted the video below in case you haven't seen it yet.
To like my Facebook music page: http://www.facebook.com/shayleesmusic
I hope you all stop by and say hello! :)
--Shaylee
