Kristiana writes:

Robin and I have had a roller coaster 2 years with her battling cancer. Robin used to listen to Melissa Etheridge during chemo and in the hospital. It brought her comfort to know someone out there could relate to her and she did not feel alone. Once chemo and surgery was over Robin was determined to have the summer of her life. This is where the concerts come in. It started with we will go to one concert at Ricon. This is where we met Melissa in person before the show. If you have never met her, I can personally and I know Rob would too say Melissa is the most beautiful person in the world when it comes to her fans. We were last to meet her, Robin and I were scratching our heads on why people who were regulars at the casino got this free pass to meet her and they basically walked through had their ticket stub signed??? A cd??? Barely said any thing to her. I am not one to judge and maybe that is what they wanted signed. Based on what we observed it did not seem there was one true MLE fan?? Maybe we are wrong?? Here it is our moment to meet MLE. She is so tiny, She is about 5'3" tall. She looks you right in your eyes and Rob was able to tell her of her cancer journey and MLE hugged her twice. Rob had made 5 different pictures and she let MLE pic which one to sign. MLE chose 2 so this is a bonus. I will get the pics for you. One she signed this is not goodbye..Love Melissa Etheridge and the other she signed Robin, you are doing it love Melissa Etheridge. I brought my fender guitar and I that what was the worst that could happen she would say I can not sign it. I mean here we are getting to meet MLE why not try right? I could not believe it when she said what can I sign for you and I asked if she would sign my guitar with out hesitation she took my guitar asked how to spell my name...Here this is funny...she started to spell my name wrong as you will see in pic but I did not have the heart to correct her....So instead of Kristiana she went with Karistiana fine by me. I was also able to hug her twice. It was one of the most peaceful experiences I have had. It is the best way I can describe it. The story gets better Fritz comes out of his trailer and we say hi, Rob being the people person she is starts a conversation with him with MLE still hanging in their with us not making us feel rushed. Rob asked Fritz of he would wear her cancer ribbon during the show and he put it on right there and when he came out he found us and showed rob it was still there on his left sleeve. You can not believe the impact this had on Rob. Great job Fritz you are the man. Tammy pops her head out of the other trailer and we say hi she quickly closes the door. We say thank-you to Fritz give him a hug and we thank MLE for meeting us and her time. The show was awesome MLE came out found us acknowledged us many times during the show. It is because of these things MLE seems to recognize her loyal fans and acknowledges them this is why she keeps such a loyal fan base. This was Robs first outing in 2 years she still was not a 100% but man the music came on and something clicked for Rob and she did great through the show. Now as you know this was a great experience and a great time so what happens next....This lead to us going to 3 more shows and everyone was just as good as the last. The last show we meet a couple and they asked of we knew how to get this book to MLE I said I will take it to the back stage hand and he will forward to her people. I took it to back stage door for her and that is what they said. They both are older and something about them just struck a good cord with me. During the show I was able to get one of MLE's pics and at the end of the show chainsaw was sweet enough to give me one of Fritz drum sticks, I already have one of MLE's pics from the long beach concert and Fritz had given me 2 drum sticks so I spoke with Rob and we agreed to give these cherished items to this couple. After the show we went over to them and gave them MLE's pic and Fritz's drumstick. The couple was in awe we would do this. I think when possible pay if forward. We had the time of our life's and I have something from every band member from this tour series why be greedy? I do not think I have seen two people more appreciative in my life. What a way to wrap up the summer. We went to the back stage door and chainsaw was out and about. Chainsaw signed my drumstick :-) So over this summer and four concerts I was able to receive. 1 signed guitar, MLE pic, Philip pic, Mark signed my ticket stub in long beach, (if I knew he was going to be out there I would have brought something for him to sign) Set list long beach, Chainsaw gave me one of his pics. Wow great summer !!!! Thanks MLE for being the woman you are and being so great with your fans and to Tammy who shared her wife with us for the summer before she gave birth.

Kristiana