"Dear – Sweet Friends,

Today is an important day for me. It’s the day that David Kibbe was born. David changed my life. He has blessed me in ways I could never have imagined. I will be celebrating with David all day – all week & all season – as he has proclaimed this is his “birthday season”! But I have proclaimed the celebration to last all of his life & the many that are to follow.

I could never “give-back” to David what he has given me, but today I would like to celebrate him by paying tribute & honoring who he is & sharing with you, my dearest & unusual friends, the MAGIC that is the David I know.

I will try to restrain myself because I could write volumes on the wonder of David, but I want to give you at least a peak into what makes him tick. A disclaimer: Am I biased? Of course. Am I objective? Absolutely.

First off, David is an acknowledged creative genius. Many of you already know that 1st hand. He is a VISIONARY of the highest order. His artistic mastery is indescribable. He began life as a child prodigy & was an award winning classical pianist & went on from there. The scope of his gifts is as vast as his commitment to serve them & all others without ever holding anything back. Ever. His genius is in combination with the purest heart of gold. I have never encountered anyone with more generosity. It truly is all about LOVE & only love for David. And he walks the talk.

So let me give you some of my favorite snapshots of life with David . . . .

He woke up one day in intense pain. He had pulled something during his sleep in his hip & for some reason could barely walk. As he limped alongside me, he saw a disabled man struggling to maneuver getting on a bus about ½ block away. Tho he could barely walk himself, he started running – limping – stumbling – limping – running to help the man & managed to get to him just in time to get him on the bus – without ever considering his own pain. Walking the talk, Or in this case, limping the walk.

Flowers are revered by David & he will not pass any without taking in their beauty AND talking to them & thanking them for their service. Really.

David is a phenomenal dancer. Rhythm beyond Rhythm. Whenever we are at the bank, grocery store, or shopping with clients, when the music strikes him – no matter what people may think – he DANCES! It’s gotten to the point where all the shoppers, clerks, etc. come ALIVE when he’s around. And when it’s just me, they beg for him to come back!

David and dogs. It’s something to behold. Strange dogs find him & follow him or run towards him from a block away & jump into his arms. And he never passes one without a personal tete-a-tete. I can’t tell you how many times in 32 degree weather, if a strange friend finds him, he sits right down on the freezing ground so that face to face he can pet & hold them & murmur intimately “Oh I just love you so much”. Two possible explanations: These are spirits from another time and place re-uniting, &/or David is a dog.

But what delights me most is his laugh. We’ve all heard the phrase “scream with laughter”. But I have never heard anyone – until David – SCREAM-M-M with laughter! And it comes in waves. After it stops, it tickles him again & the uncontrollable joy filled screams continue, until I am rolling in squeals with him! “More fun than a barrel full of monkeys”. OMG that’s David!

So many images of mirth with David - & quixotic surprise! Expect the unexpected. And expect to be dazzled.

Two tee shirts: A friend gave him this one: “Just visiting this planet”. Yeah!

He occasionally delights in wearing another one. It’s old army green with worn-stenciled black letters on the front & back: “New York State Mental Institution”. He loves seeing people’s faces if & when they notice!

Adversity. Unfortunately David has endured far more than his share of unjust adversity. When one is that unique & gifted, often there are jealousies by people who feel lack in themselves. And there is exploitation. And some of the things he has lived through would have completely destroyed a person of less strength of character or inner power. But I have watched & marveled at how he has taken unfairness &/or cruelty & turned it into a great opportunity for growth. He has just grown bigger than any obstacles before him. He is so courageous. He truly transcends life’s challenges.

Going on. . . I can’t resist! David is so noble. He has such humility. To say he is compassionate or has empathy is the understatement of the year. He IS empathy. He feels so completely what it’s like to walk in another man’s – or in most instances, considering his work – woman’s shoes. He becomes you. He is so super-sensitive. He is so sweet, so kind. And on the flip side, so wildly passionate & free. And then there’s just sheer brainpower. He can figure anything out. He’s the most informed person I’ve met. He’s BRILLIANT. Period.

But getting down to the nitty-gritty. David just makes my heart sing! He always has. He always will. I’m just mad about him! (In case you didn’t notice.) He never ceases to amaze & fascinate me & inspire me. One of his Rave NYC reviews as a performing artist said “He takes his audience to the land of enchantment”. Well, that’s where he takes me! He’s just thrilling. And I just love him so deeply (AND so superficially!) To me, he is an ANGEL of the highest order. And, I thank God for the grace he has brought into my life.

So let me stop for now – as I said, I could go on & on – by saying------

Happy Birthday Beautiful
Extraordinary David!
And thank you for being born!

I also want to thank you all. I am so happy to have this incredible opportunity with so many wonderful special new & old friends where I can celebrate & honor David! Thank you for allowing me to rhapsodize about some of the brilliant facets of the man I know & love & respect.

But really the one thing I want to end with – for today – is pretty simple, David Kibbe is just & always will be – MY DAVID. So Happy Bedazzling Birthday my David. You bring heaven to earth for me.

Always. With love, Susan"