Part 1: Sonny's Story - There's Something About Phil

This is a my story of the magic that is Taylor and angels and love lost and faith restored and friends an...ok work with me here…just sayin'…Taylor's Angels…Who are they? That's the first thing I said to myself when I saw the lil angels avatar. I was just out and about web searching as usual carousing and pillaging…ya know for pics and stuff.

Looking as always for Taylor news. Cause I belong to the Seasons of the Soul Blog. I'm the Editor in Chief there of the Taylor news. Go ahead..just ask em. They'll tell you..I'm the shy one. So there was a small icon at the Bottom of taylormadeonline site or was it whompswamp?

Anyway there it was Taylor's Angels. Who were they? And why hadn't I heard of them? Maybe there was something I could help with? I clicked on it an read about the most amazing thing. Here were a group of Taylor fans willing to help those less fortunate get to a Taylor Concert.Wow!! How cool is that? No cost or questions, just a ticket to go. Wow!

I left that site thinking 'what nice people..But the fact was...Well I had my ticket. Money is oh so tight here, but I made sure I got my ticket!!With my nephews help - I had scrimped and saved and saved some more and waited and waited and it was finally going to happen. I was going to see Taylor! April 29th baby ... I was GOING!

And then something happened that day..well all day actually. I couldn't stop thinking of those guys at Taylor's Angels.. Would they really help someone see Taylor?? For reals? Cause I knew someone who would sure like to go. So being the shy person I am...I emailed them. And I told them about my buddy Phil.Here is part of the email I sent..

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Hello Taylor Angels! (crosses fingers) Here's my request: I have my ticket for the Taylor show at Denver paramount theatre. Compliments of my nephew. It is only because of him that I am even going. I would not be going myself otherwise.With the gas to Denver, dinner and parking- it is out of my realm to help anyone right now although I gladly would, when things get better here.So here's the thing..I was wondering if there is a way you could help my friend Phil see Taylor for the first time.

Phil is 35 yrs old and he rents a room here from me. He is a high functioning autistic, (Aspergers Syndrome) I believe. He has been listening to me rant on and on about Taylor for months now. And watches every Youtube video. Ok I made him. But only at first.. He asks to see them now!

I would love to take him with me to see Taylor-I can drive him there an I'll take pics of him there. But I do not have the means to do that myself. Phil is on a very tight budget, as am I. When I saw this Taylor's Angels I immediately thought of Phil. He would be thrilled beyond measure.

Thanks for the having Taylor wings.

Much love
Sonny

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Ok before I go any further.. you should know - there's something about Phil...His twin sister said that to me - that's the first thing I heard about him..It wrung at my heart- and I braced myself. Because I hadn't heard that said in awhile. It was a phrase familiar to me. Ironically,that is the first thing I ever remember hearing about my baby brother Billy.Billy's gone now..so I can tell you. I lost Billy last July..he was 44 - somehow,he slipped right thru my hands..another story another time.So when I heard that phrase I stood still.

I remember thinking GOD is this some kind of cruel joke? It wasn't. She needed a place for Phil. Now - cause he was making her crazy. She said he was crossing her boundaries (well don't brothers an sisters sometimes do that?) Anyway he needed a room. NOW. And I had one open. Phil-he also needed someone that would take no gruff an make sure he took his meds. OK and that would be me. Just sayin'...But he sounded like my brother Billy boy more every minute. I had nothing left in my heart to give. At this point-I pretty much cried all day and stayed in my room. If it wasn't for Taylor, the SoS site and my email buddy fAt.(our resident tator genius) on the SoS. I would NOT have made it myself. Truly I would not have made it. I wonder if fAt knows what he walked me thru.. well now's a good time as any to tell someone.Here's just a part of what he said to me.

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"The soul patrol is made up of good people. None of them are doing anything you wouldn't do yourself were the shoe on the other foot... and you know it. Just remember that events give us the motivation to be happy or sad but it's really us that choose those emotions. No one or no event can make you unhappy it can just make you choose to be. While the choice is perfectly rational it's still a choice. Don't choose any more than you can handle. Good memories always outlast bad, we're just wired that way. And they make us choose to be happy. "

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fAt - he saved my mind more than once.

Just sayin'...

Ok back to Phil..if I was going to keep my place..the reality was as always -I needed a roommate pronto. And there Phil stood on the front porch with his Sister. It was not lost on me that I had denied my brother a room not a month earlier..I was trying the old tough love routine with Billy again. It didn't work. My heart was breaking for Billy and for Phil standing there. And I said to myself, I don't understand this GOD but ok if this is what you want. And I took him in on the spot. They say there is something about Phil and there is.

Because of Phil I've learned to accept some peace with my brothers death Billy suffered in a different way than Phil but they are both the sweetest and kindest people I ever had drive me completely insane.What a ride!

Phil is extremely smart in math and reading. Just don't ask him left from right. Or to stay on one subject. Same as my Billy but opposite.Billy could find his way to Egypt and back but never do math or read well..an for Phil well, I can't tell you how many maps I've drawn to the same store. He's at times funny as hell and other times you just want to choke him. And then he smiles..what a Dork! He gets lost at least once a week on his infamous 'cool' bike and I finally had to get him a cell phone so he could get home.

An did I tell you he LOVES Taylor? Ok I Taylorized him....well, he was just standing there!! All the time looking over my shoulder so I taught him the Taylor WooooHoooo and the dance and .. well you get the idea.He asked for and received Taylor's CD for Easter an plays it constantly.anyway I digress..here is one of the answers I received from Taylor's Angels

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Good news!!! A donor has provided a ticket for Phil for the Denver show! Once we receive the ticket, we will be in touch with you re: delivery!Hope you two have fun and we want those pictures!

Taylor's Angels

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So then I'm thinking...OMG!!! REALLY????? Squeeee!!!!!!! Phil is gonna go Taylorcrazy!!! I had to promise myself not to tell him just in case I dunno, the mail, a blizzard, maybe an earth quake? And I couldn't quite believe it myself! So I sent this email back to Taylors' Angels...

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TYTYTYTYTY Taylor Angels!!!!

I will take photos if he gets to go and send them to you. I have not told him yet! He will completely lose it though! I think the last event he went to was yrs ago -a wrestling match with his group.OMG!This is so awesome!Thanks again!

Sonny

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They responded with a sweet lady named Charlotte. She is the donor of the ticket! Can I say that? She said to wait for the mail and to enjoy the concert!

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GET OUT!!!!And Phil has no clue! It's been so hard to not tell him. And I will try to get the pics online as fast as I can. I will have to get some help there as I'm still in the 35 mm world. Hopefully the ticket will be here today an when he gets home from work. I'll be ready with that camera!I know this may seem like a long story or insignificant to some but just this one contact..the Angels reaching out to someone this means the world to. Just to forget for awhile the harshness of life sometimes well for me it has made a full circle. And for Phil. He's going to feel like for once there really is something about Phil. He's a Taylor fan and whether we realize it or not, right now he gets to be just like us. The miracle of Taylor and his music. Amazing isn't it?

Ya know- all this has taught me another lesson: Nothing will ever replace my Brother..But I need to remember more will be revealed. And I can't help but think of how my brother Billy would have loved Taylor too.I think of him every time I see Phil. maybe that was Gods plan for me.To help ease my pain? Maybe that's why he sent Phil here. To never forget the special ones he gives us. To never forget an to love and cherish every moment you get with them.

Although I've waited almost a year to see him..I would give away my chance to see Taylor. Without a second thought.if I could have one more day with Billy Boy.I know he's here with me and watching over me. Like he always did. My beloved Billy Boy. He is my Angel. Forever. And now out of no where, I have more..they are Taylor's Angels. I think God wanted to remind me they're here these angels, they walk among us and fly above us.

I know they are.

Just sayin'.

ms.sonny

NOTE: Pictures of Phil courtesy of Ms. Sonny (Phil receiving his tickets are such a joy!)

NOTE: Next week, Part 2: Meeting Phil & Sonny in Denver

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels