we are going on the cruise to cozumel with skynyrd and friends. My husband has been a life long fan and this was his dream. we have been to every concert at pitts post gazette. My husband is going to be 50 this year and we are celerbating 25 years of marraige this year as well. He has always dreamed of meeting them and i hope one day his dream comes true. He suffers from severe osteo arthritis and a rare brain disorder as we found out 1 1/5 year ago called chiari malformation. He has trouble walking and his health is getting worse every year. He asked to go on vacation and picked this cruise. So my friends and myself planned it and here we come simple man crusie. He deserves all the good has to offer because he has been with me through trials and tribulation. We lost our only son Jesse James Ward in a house fire in 1992 and my husband nearly lost his mind. We have 2 beautiful grown daughters and 2 adoring grandkids and he loves us all with his heart and soul. Skynyrd has been part of our lives through the good and the bad. Music can heal souls and lift burdens as my family knows. We go every year and will until he can no longer make it which the last one with kid rock was rough on him especially with lawn seats at pitts post gazette. He brags about being on the steel town album and the live recording. He says he is the one screaming the loudest and reliving that night i beleive him. Im goign to have him at the phot shoot on the cruise and hope and pray he gets his picture with johnny and gary that would make his year. I would have preffered billy and leon RIP but cant say johhny and gary are to shabby either. love u guys from the wife of "a simple man" melody ward , Sebring Oh

=melody said:we are going on the cruise to cozumel with skynyrd and friends. My husband has been a life long fan and this was his dream. we have been to every concert at pitts post gazette. My husband is going to be 50 this year and we are celerbating 25 years of marraige this year as well. He has always dreamed of meeting them and i hope one day his dream comes true. He suffers from severe osteo arthritis and a rare brain disorder as we found out 1 1/5 year ago called chiari malformation. He has trouble walking and his health is getting worse every year. He asked to go on vacation and picked this cruise. So my friends and myself planned it and here we come simple man crusie. He deserves all the good has to offer because he has been with me through trials and tribulation. We lost our only son Jesse James Ward in a house fire in 1992 and my husband nearly lost his mind. We have 2 beautiful grown daughters and 2 adoring grandkids and he loves us all with his heart and soul. Skynyrd has been part of our lives through the good and the bad. Music can heal souls and lift burdens as my family knows. We go every year and will until he can no longer make it which the last one with kid rock was rough on him especially with lawn seats at pitts post gazette. He brags about being on the steel town album and the live recording. He says he is the one screaming the loudest and reliving that night i beleive him. Im goign to have him at the phot shoot on the cruise and hope and pray he gets his picture with johnny and gary that would make his year. I would have preffered billy and leon RIP but cant say johhny and gary are to shabby either. love u guys from the wife of "a simple man" melody ward , Sebring Oh

and i'll be glad to 2nd that which Prez stated, ...................and then some! great story, thanks for sharing Melody, and we all know that it's,,,,, "THE SIMPLE MAN" that is truely blessed! Keep the Faith, and that "Suthyn Rockin' alyve!!!!!!!!

Melody, Thanks for sharing your heart with all of us Skynyrd Frynds. I think that it is wonderful that you are supporting your husband and helping him to fullfill a dream. Yall will have such a GREAT time on the cruise. Everyone is on that boat for the same reason and that is what makes it so special.
Also, I wanted to tell you that my parents lost my oldest brother in 1988. He was only 24 and he died in a farming accident. My Dad was there and witnessed everything. Since I had my daughter 9 years ago, I just don't know how they have survived without him for all of these years. It's just not right for parents to outlive a child. My brother is the reason that I became a Skynyrd fan. He raised me on the sweet sounds of Southern Rock and when he died, my parents gave me his stero. In the CD player was the 1987 reunion tour live CD. Twenty years later.....hear I am.

Dear Melody, we cannot choose what happens to to ourselves and our beloved ones, but we have the choice how to deal with it. I think you're handling it in a very positive way.( I call it SkynyrdNationStyle ...)
SkynyrdMusic is the finest medicine you can get, I'm sure your husband will feel much better, both physically and mentally, on the Cruise. Actually, I truly think it's the best thing you can do for his health problems !
Your "Simple Man" is in good hands, but don't forget to take care of yourself too ...
Be prepared for your best vacation ever !

Melody, Thank-you for sharing your story with us--it was heartbreaking and inspiring. First of all, Congrats on your upcoming 25th Anniversary!! Sounds like your husband is a really sweet guy, and I am glad you guys are going on the cruise.

Music has always been a very big part of our lives too--during the good times and the bad.

God bless you, your husband, family, & friends. I don't know you all but will remember you in prayer. I am sure your husband will get his picture with Johnny and Gary---heck maybe the whole band!!!

Have a great cruise~~~Sherry

@prez. rusty: couldnt agree with you more there ------------------rusty-----------well said my friend,and i 3rd that what mcskynyrd said as well------------------midnightrider

@mcskynyrd: i 3rd that my brother--------------well said,lets keep our prayers for melody and her husband,keep the faith and keep on rockin---------------love ya bro

@midnightrider: you can take that to the bank...... so to speak.

thanks for all the support, you guys and gals rock. Dont even know u but love u all. brother to brother . have to be skynrd fan to know what i mean. busy eek ahead getting ready fro the VACATION OF A LIFETIME. WIll post when return and let all know how it goes luv wife of a " simple man" Mel

@melody: Thats wat I love about Skynyrd Fans.... Iffin your a fan.... Your a FRYND !