Twenty-nine years ago, Billy Ray Cyrus broke into the Country Top 40 with his song ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ coming in at #28. By the end of the month, it would be #1 and stay there for five weeks. 1992 would be a good year for him.
By 1992, my daughter Jennifer had been through the medical wringer. Born with a brain tumor, she had gone through marathon surgeries, experimental treatment in Bostom, chemo, radiation, and other procedures. I have been around lots of tough people – law enforcement, corrections officers, martial artists, and runners – people who have chosen to do things that require some measure of toughness. I don’t think any of them are as tough as those I have seen fighting through life-threatening illnesses and the associated setbacks. Jennifer had already been through a lot, and she was only 6.
In 1992, Jennifer was a big fan of country music. She also loved to dance. By this time, she was a student of Miss Laurie’s (Mrs. Laurie Moore) at Danceland. In October, Billy Ray was coming to Atlanta, and there was no bigger star to Jennifer, nor would there ever be. Through the efforts of many, including Jennifer’s grandmother Betty Brown, the folks at WKHX radio and their morning DJ Moby, and the Make-A-Wish foundation, Jennifer would be there and get a backstage pass. I figured he might greet her, maybe sign a photo, and that would be it. I was wrong. Billy Ray took the time to have an actual conversation with her. Jennifer told him she danced to ‘Achy Breaky Heart’. He asked her if she would dance if he sang it to her. She agreed. He sang, and she danced. For a few minutes, all was right in her world. He signed a t-shirt for her, took some photos and gave of his time. I was so grateful the superstar on stage was a superstar off stage. A month later, less than a week before Jennifer turned seven, Billy Ray would have a daughter of his own. He named her Destiny Hope Cyrus, but most people know her as Miley. May God bless them both.
This made me tear up.
Love this!