By now, many of you know that one of our loving 'Casey sisters' has left this world to be with the Lord. Even though I never knew a whole lot about her....I knew she was smart, strong and stood her ground and refused to back down from cancer. I know she fought, and for a while, we thought she had beat it....but all too soon, she got the news that the cancer had returned. And I believed if anyone could beat it...she could. But it was much too much for her frail little body to take any more. She lost her battle on December 28th 2012.
The first time I remember hearing the name Barbara Bortle, it was attached to a twitter name.... @daydreaminmeme . Of course that was one of the cutest twitter names I had seen, and was instantly curious who this 'meme' gal was. I began seeing her comical but very realistic words and quotes of the deep Cajun accent....which is common in Louisiana. The way she would write... "gawjus" and "dawlin" just tickled me to pieces!! I knew she was my kind of gal!! And I would talk with her whenever I could.
About that same time I noticed she was making some very awesome poster-like photos with words attached of Casey, and they were so well done, I immediately asked for permission to use them on this site, and she so graciously said yes.... Later on I will post some of her work.
Below you will find a wonderfully written piece by Shari G. and she perfectly describes how this next event played out. Thanks so much to her and Marie L. (this was her idea) for generously allowing me to use her work for this project. It just couldn't be told without this next piece of work. Read on.....
Goodness is Contagious
Casey James once said that he wanted to surround himself with a united front of goodness. Well, when it comes to his fans, that is exactly what Casey has done. When the call goes out to Casey’s fans, they answer with a singular passion and commitment that is as impressive as it is inspiring.
Casey experienced this outpouring when he was a contestant on American idol and relied on the dedication of fans to vote for him every week to stay on the show. But it has expanded well beyond casting votes for two hours straight once a week.
Back in February, Casey visited St. Jude Children’s Hospital as part of the Country Cares initiative. Following his visit, a couple of Casey’s fans worked with St. Jude to have Casey’s name included on the roster of artists on whose behalf donations could be made and then his fans sent in donations to this very worthy cause.
There have been many small acts of kindness, from fans giving extra tickets for free so others can see Casey, to Christmas card exchanges, from people gifting his single, to people getting personalized autographs for fans who can’t meet Casey in person.
But this last month, Casey’s fans have outdone themselves. After hearing that Casey was going to be performing at a concert to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, sponsored by radio station 94.9 Star Country, one fan had an idea. She thought of another fan who had long wanted to see Casey in person but who had been battling breast cancer. She had been inspired by Casey’s own story to fight hard and get better and had been strengthened by notes Casey had signed for her with words of encouragement. One goal sustained her during her ordeal – getting well enough to one day see Casey in concert.
What if we could send her to this event? What if we could raise the money for the plane ticket, hotel room and the concert? What if Casey’s fans could pool their resources and make her dream come true? This one idea did not fall into the trash heap of “what if’s” and “if only’s.” This idea turned into a plan which turned into a reality.
She told another fan and then another and then the word was spread amongst the tight-knit Casey community of fans via social media. The support for this little idea was overwhelming. So much money has been donated that not only will this one fan’s dream come true and she will be there to finally get her hug from Casey, but a contribution to the American Cancer Society of the excess money raised will be made by the fans of Casey James.
Music has healing power, so does friendship. Casey James fans have brought the two together to create their own unique united front of goodness.
And now..... here is Barbara's journey.... R.I.P. sweet lady.... much love....until we meet again...
As
many of you know, I am a very recent breast cancer survivor & my
goal over the past year has been to get well enough to attend a Casey
concert. His story & his music both touched my heart & served as
a compelling inspiration in my battle with this disease. Having
followed him since “that TV show”, I’ve been lucky enough to meet so
many of his amazing fans online thru Twitter and FaceBook, but most
significantly thru Shari Geller’s The Casey James Blog. One truly
special fan in particular, Marie Leathem, had the idea of sponsoring me
to go to Casey’s concert in Roanoke, VA on October 14th, at the annual
Pajama Jam Breast Cancer Benefit held there in conjunction with a local
radio station. Marie put the idea out there, and Casey’s awesome fans
responded with true “Caseyness”, raising not only enough money to pay my
expenses, but also enough to make a $1,312.00 donation to the American
Cancer Society in Casey’s name. The following is the story of that
magical evening.
I flew into Roanoke from New Orleans Friday afternoon & I was greeted by my dear friend, Painter, as I like to call her. She has been attendin Casey concerts all year & gettin Casey to sign pictures for me at nearly every show, as well as lettin me listen to him play via her cell phone. She had a few surprises up her
sleeve, it turned out…I turned around & there was another dear friend, NorthCountryGirl!!! NCG, as we call her, filled in when Painter couldn’t at gettin Casey to sign pictures for me at his shows. Then we went outside and there was a black stretch LIMO waitin to take us to the hotel!!!!! We were giddy like little kiddies the whole way there. Roanoke is a beautiful place, and the hotel was simply splendid. We went to our room to freshen up & then went out to get a bite to eat.
Earlier
in the week leadin up to the show, I had been informed that David,
Casey’s Sony guy, would be callin me to discuss & coordinate my
meetin with Casey (SQUEE!), so every time my cell phone made a noise,
the three of us would jump with anticipation. Of course, there was a
copious amount of textin back & forth with Marie, so we got LOTS of
exercise…lol. Back at the hotel, we checked out the arrangements for the
show, which included a dinner & silent auction. We found out that
we’d hafta line up outside in the courtyard to register & wait for
the doors to the ballroom to open at 6 p.m. Now, just picture this…we’re
all in our pj’s & there’s a gale force wind blowin out there &
the line was around-the-corner long! I was freezin my brand new boobies
off…lol…but it was well worth it to see Casey!!! And keep in mind, that
all this time, we’re waitin for that call from David…we got word from
Marie that it would be around the time sound check was goin on, so we
settled down to wait….impatiently, I’m afraid.
Well,
sound check came & went without a phone call, so I began to think
it wasn’t gonna happen….you ALL know how guys are…they SAY they’ll call
but they never DO! Lol… We cheered ourselves up by plannin to see Casey
after the show when we hoped he’d come out to sign autographs & take
pics with the fans. Finally, the doors opened & the line began
movin….we were almost at the end of it, so by the time we got inside all
the tables up front had been claimed. We found a spot in the very back,
but centrally located, so we could see alright. It was just a tad too
far back to take any really good pictures, tho, and the music comin over
the PA system was ear-splittin, so I put my phone on vibrate, just in
case THE CALL came thru. Then I got a text…from DAVID!!! It said that
they wouldn’t let us down, not to worry, they weren’t at the hotel yet,
but they’d see us after Casey’s set. I texted my thanks back & that
we were all lookin forward to meetin them. Then we finally were able to
breathe again & relax a lil bit…lol
Hunter
Hayes came on stage to play & he was very entertaining…the dinner
was buffet style, so we had to get up to get our food, but I took that
phone with me, just in Casey! Right near the end of Hunter’s set, my
phone vibrated again…it was another text from DAVID!!! He asked if we
could come to one of the meetin rooms right NOW…I said lemme think about
it…hah! I texted back “sure” & told Painter & NCG to come on!!!
We moved outta there like Commandos on a mission to save the free
world…lol We found a nice lady who said she’d take us to the meetin room
& before we knew it, we were in the same room with CASEY!!!!!!!!!!
(in his robe & pajamas!!!!)
There were some other people in there for what I guess was a radio station
meet & greet…David introduced us as “special friends” and we waited until
they were all done before it was our turn. This was my first glimpse of Casey up
close & personal….I gotta tell y’all….pictures don’t do him justice….he is
INFINITELY more gawjus in person!!! I had brought with me all the pictures
he’d signed…on one of them he’d written “Get well soon & come get a
HUG!”…so I got that one out, as well as the donation check to give him, and
waited for my turn. Casey looked up at us & he recognized Painter…his face lit
up the whole room & he said “Hi!!! It’s great to see you again!!” I’m kinda fuzzy
about what happened next, but then I was standin in front of him & showin him
the “HUG” picture he’d signed…I told him I had come to collect it & he said,
“Well, here it is!” Then he gave me the biggest, bestest bear hug I have ever had
in my life!!!! It was sheer heaven….he just holds on for dear life. I totally forgot to sniff him…or even breathe!!! When the hug was over, he still kinda had his arm around me for a while….awwww, So Sweet!!! Then I told him that not only did his fans pay my expenses, but look at what else they did & I showed him the check. He was absolutely blown away by it….he was almost speechless. I think he got a lil bit choked up…the look on his face was pure awe. I told him that it was his fans showing their “Caseyness”, spreading love & good works…he said, “You’re too kind”…and I told him “No, Casey, this is all because of YOU & your music…you have touched so many people by your example.” He was so humble & appreciative…listenin so intently to what I was sayin…it was just incredible! Then I told him how his struggle with the accident served as my inspiration thru my battle…that I thought of him in that wheel chair tryin to learn how to walk & play guitar again, and I’d think “If Casey can do THAT, then I can do this”…and he said “Awwww” & he gave me ANOTHER enormous hug…OMG!!! I just about died that very moment! He is the sweetest, most adorable Dawlin ever & I’m getting choked up just rememberin it all. At some point I asked him to do a special favor for me & he said he would. I also invited him to New Orleans & he said he’d love to come, that he has family there! Then I asked him to sing my tee shirt & he wrote “That was a great hug! Great to meet you! Love, CJ” I thanked him & it was over…time to let Painter & NCG have some face time with him. We took a group picture, which was fun because the radio station guys & David were all takin pictures with our various cameras & kept messin up, so we’d hafta pose again & again!!! We all thanked David & then went back to the ballroom for Casey’s set.
The long awaited HUG!!
Y’all have seen the videos & pics from Casey’s performance by now, so I won’t
be redundant here, except to say that when Casey played his single Let’s Don’t
Call It a Night, the ENTIRE room erupted in hoots & hollahs & applause!!! And
by the time he finished with Poke Salad Annie, they were all on their feet
screamin & cheerin for more!!! He won over many new fans that night with his
music, his amazin guitar skills, and his incredibly charmin ways. He is gonna be
SUCH a big star soon…I’m glad I got to meet him now, cuz before we know it,
we won’t be able to get next to him like we can in these early days of his career.
When Casey came out after the show, we waited in line to see him one last time.
I just wanted to thank him again for bein So Sweet to me…the line was LONG,
lemme tell y’all! At one point, poor Casey looked out over the line & just sighed,
but he never lost that beautiful smile on his face for one second. When he saw us
waitin, his face lit up again & he gave us an incredibly special smile. I told him I
just wanted to thank him again…he came around the table to give me
ANOTHER huge hug!!!! OMG!!! How lucky am I??? I reminded him about
comin to New Orleans & he said he would (YAY!) & then I checked with David
to make sure he gave the donation check to the right people. He had forgotten
(men!), so he checked with the radio station people & they said they would
make sure it was delivered to the American Cancer Society. Then he said he’d
see us in New Orleans at the Cafe du Monde & I said we’d all have beignets!!!!
In closing….y’all were thinkin I’d never get to the end, right? lol…I just want to express my deep, deep gratitude for what y’all have done to make my dream
come true in such a special & unforgettable way. I feel like I’m finally livin MY
life again, and it’s all thanks to your Caseyness!!!
Much, much love,
Daydreaminmeme/Barb
God bless Barbara and her family... I am so touched to have known her....for the little time I did.... she will be so missed. We love you....
Go to the light Barb....go to the light.
Until next time... :'(
The first time I remember hearing the name Barbara Bortle, it was attached to a twitter name.... @daydreaminmeme . Of course that was one of the cutest twitter names I had seen, and was instantly curious who this 'meme' gal was. I began seeing her comical but very realistic words and quotes of the deep Cajun accent....which is common in Louisiana. The way she would write... "gawjus" and "dawlin" just tickled me to pieces!! I knew she was my kind of gal!! And I would talk with her whenever I could.
About that same time I noticed she was making some very awesome poster-like photos with words attached of Casey, and they were so well done, I immediately asked for permission to use them on this site, and she so graciously said yes.... Later on I will post some of her work.
Below you will find a wonderfully written piece by Shari G. and she perfectly describes how this next event played out. Thanks so much to her and Marie L. (this was her idea) for generously allowing me to use her work for this project. It just couldn't be told without this next piece of work. Read on.....
Goodness is Contagious
Casey James once said that he wanted to surround himself with a united front of goodness. Well, when it comes to his fans, that is exactly what Casey has done. When the call goes out to Casey’s fans, they answer with a singular passion and commitment that is as impressive as it is inspiring.
Casey experienced this outpouring when he was a contestant on American idol and relied on the dedication of fans to vote for him every week to stay on the show. But it has expanded well beyond casting votes for two hours straight once a week.
Back in February, Casey visited St. Jude Children’s Hospital as part of the Country Cares initiative. Following his visit, a couple of Casey’s fans worked with St. Jude to have Casey’s name included on the roster of artists on whose behalf donations could be made and then his fans sent in donations to this very worthy cause.
There have been many small acts of kindness, from fans giving extra tickets for free so others can see Casey, to Christmas card exchanges, from people gifting his single, to people getting personalized autographs for fans who can’t meet Casey in person.
But this last month, Casey’s fans have outdone themselves. After hearing that Casey was going to be performing at a concert to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, sponsored by radio station 94.9 Star Country, one fan had an idea. She thought of another fan who had long wanted to see Casey in person but who had been battling breast cancer. She had been inspired by Casey’s own story to fight hard and get better and had been strengthened by notes Casey had signed for her with words of encouragement. One goal sustained her during her ordeal – getting well enough to one day see Casey in concert.
What if we could send her to this event? What if we could raise the money for the plane ticket, hotel room and the concert? What if Casey’s fans could pool their resources and make her dream come true? This one idea did not fall into the trash heap of “what if’s” and “if only’s.” This idea turned into a plan which turned into a reality.
She told another fan and then another and then the word was spread amongst the tight-knit Casey community of fans via social media. The support for this little idea was overwhelming. So much money has been donated that not only will this one fan’s dream come true and she will be there to finally get her hug from Casey, but a contribution to the American Cancer Society of the excess money raised will be made by the fans of Casey James.
Music has healing power, so does friendship. Casey James fans have brought the two together to create their own unique united front of goodness.
And now..... here is Barbara's journey.... R.I.P. sweet lady.... much love....until we meet again...
When Barb Met Casey … in Her Own Words
The Excellent Adventures of Casey James’ Special Friends by Barbara Bortle
As
many of you know, I am a very recent breast cancer survivor & my
goal over the past year has been to get well enough to attend a Casey
concert. His story & his music both touched my heart & served as
a compelling inspiration in my battle with this disease. Having
followed him since “that TV show”, I’ve been lucky enough to meet so
many of his amazing fans online thru Twitter and FaceBook, but most
significantly thru Shari Geller’s The Casey James Blog. One truly
special fan in particular, Marie Leathem, had the idea of sponsoring me
to go to Casey’s concert in Roanoke, VA on October 14th, at the annual
Pajama Jam Breast Cancer Benefit held there in conjunction with a local
radio station. Marie put the idea out there, and Casey’s awesome fans
responded with true “Caseyness”, raising not only enough money to pay my
expenses, but also enough to make a $1,312.00 donation to the American
Cancer Society in Casey’s name. The following is the story of that
magical evening.
I flew into Roanoke from New Orleans Friday afternoon & I was greeted by my dear friend, Painter, as I like to call her. She has been attendin Casey concerts all year & gettin Casey to sign pictures for me at nearly every show, as well as lettin me listen to him play via her cell phone. She had a few surprises up her
sleeve, it turned out…I turned around & there was another dear friend, NorthCountryGirl!!! NCG, as we call her, filled in when Painter couldn’t at gettin Casey to sign pictures for me at his shows. Then we went outside and there was a black stretch LIMO waitin to take us to the hotel!!!!! We were giddy like little kiddies the whole way there. Roanoke is a beautiful place, and the hotel was simply splendid. We went to our room to freshen up & then went out to get a bite to eat.
Earlier
in the week leadin up to the show, I had been informed that David,
Casey’s Sony guy, would be callin me to discuss & coordinate my
meetin with Casey (SQUEE!), so every time my cell phone made a noise,
the three of us would jump with anticipation. Of course, there was a
copious amount of textin back & forth with Marie, so we got LOTS of
exercise…lol. Back at the hotel, we checked out the arrangements for the
show, which included a dinner & silent auction. We found out that
we’d hafta line up outside in the courtyard to register & wait for
the doors to the ballroom to open at 6 p.m. Now, just picture this…we’re
all in our pj’s & there’s a gale force wind blowin out there &
the line was around-the-corner long! I was freezin my brand new boobies
off…lol…but it was well worth it to see Casey!!! And keep in mind, that
all this time, we’re waitin for that call from David…we got word from
Marie that it would be around the time sound check was goin on, so we
settled down to wait….impatiently, I’m afraid.
Well,
sound check came & went without a phone call, so I began to think
it wasn’t gonna happen….you ALL know how guys are…they SAY they’ll call
but they never DO! Lol… We cheered ourselves up by plannin to see Casey
after the show when we hoped he’d come out to sign autographs & take
pics with the fans. Finally, the doors opened & the line began
movin….we were almost at the end of it, so by the time we got inside all
the tables up front had been claimed. We found a spot in the very back,
but centrally located, so we could see alright. It was just a tad too
far back to take any really good pictures, tho, and the music comin over
the PA system was ear-splittin, so I put my phone on vibrate, just in
case THE CALL came thru. Then I got a text…from DAVID!!! It said that
they wouldn’t let us down, not to worry, they weren’t at the hotel yet,
but they’d see us after Casey’s set. I texted my thanks back & that
we were all lookin forward to meetin them. Then we finally were able to
breathe again & relax a lil bit…lol
Hunter
Hayes came on stage to play & he was very entertaining…the dinner
was buffet style, so we had to get up to get our food, but I took that
phone with me, just in Casey! Right near the end of Hunter’s set, my
phone vibrated again…it was another text from DAVID!!! He asked if we
could come to one of the meetin rooms right NOW…I said lemme think about
it…hah! I texted back “sure” & told Painter & NCG to come on!!!
We moved outta there like Commandos on a mission to save the free
world…lol We found a nice lady who said she’d take us to the meetin room
& before we knew it, we were in the same room with CASEY!!!!!!!!!!
(in his robe & pajamas!!!!)
There were some other people in there for what I guess was a radio station
meet & greet…David introduced us as “special friends” and we waited until
they were all done before it was our turn. This was my first glimpse of Casey up
close & personal….I gotta tell y’all….pictures don’t do him justice….he is
INFINITELY more gawjus in person!!! I had brought with me all the pictures
he’d signed…on one of them he’d written “Get well soon & come get a
HUG!”…so I got that one out, as well as the donation check to give him, and
waited for my turn. Casey looked up at us & he recognized Painter…his face lit
up the whole room & he said “Hi!!! It’s great to see you again!!” I’m kinda fuzzy
about what happened next, but then I was standin in front of him & showin him
the “HUG” picture he’d signed…I told him I had come to collect it & he said,
“Well, here it is!” Then he gave me the biggest, bestest bear hug I have ever had
in my life!!!! It was sheer heaven….he just holds on for dear life. I totally forgot to sniff him…or even breathe!!! When the hug was over, he still kinda had his arm around me for a while….awwww, So Sweet!!! Then I told him that not only did his fans pay my expenses, but look at what else they did & I showed him the check. He was absolutely blown away by it….he was almost speechless. I think he got a lil bit choked up…the look on his face was pure awe. I told him that it was his fans showing their “Caseyness”, spreading love & good works…he said, “You’re too kind”…and I told him “No, Casey, this is all because of YOU & your music…you have touched so many people by your example.” He was so humble & appreciative…listenin so intently to what I was sayin…it was just incredible! Then I told him how his struggle with the accident served as my inspiration thru my battle…that I thought of him in that wheel chair tryin to learn how to walk & play guitar again, and I’d think “If Casey can do THAT, then I can do this”…and he said “Awwww” & he gave me ANOTHER enormous hug…OMG!!! I just about died that very moment! He is the sweetest, most adorable Dawlin ever & I’m getting choked up just rememberin it all. At some point I asked him to do a special favor for me & he said he would. I also invited him to New Orleans & he said he’d love to come, that he has family there! Then I asked him to sing my tee shirt & he wrote “That was a great hug! Great to meet you! Love, CJ” I thanked him & it was over…time to let Painter & NCG have some face time with him. We took a group picture, which was fun because the radio station guys & David were all takin pictures with our various cameras & kept messin up, so we’d hafta pose again & again!!! We all thanked David & then went back to the ballroom for Casey’s set.
Barbara showing Casey all the pictures he'd signed for her
The long awaited HUG!!
Y’all have seen the videos & pics from Casey’s performance by now, so I won’t
be redundant here, except to say that when Casey played his single Let’s Don’t
Call It a Night, the ENTIRE room erupted in hoots & hollahs & applause!!! And
by the time he finished with Poke Salad Annie, they were all on their feet
screamin & cheerin for more!!! He won over many new fans that night with his
music, his amazin guitar skills, and his incredibly charmin ways. He is gonna be
SUCH a big star soon…I’m glad I got to meet him now, cuz before we know it,
we won’t be able to get next to him like we can in these early days of his career.
When Casey came out after the show, we waited in line to see him one last time.
I just wanted to thank him again for bein So Sweet to me…the line was LONG,
lemme tell y’all! At one point, poor Casey looked out over the line & just sighed,
but he never lost that beautiful smile on his face for one second. When he saw us
waitin, his face lit up again & he gave us an incredibly special smile. I told him I
just wanted to thank him again…he came around the table to give me
ANOTHER huge hug!!!! OMG!!! How lucky am I??? I reminded him about
comin to New Orleans & he said he would (YAY!) & then I checked with David
to make sure he gave the donation check to the right people. He had forgotten
(men!), so he checked with the radio station people & they said they would
make sure it was delivered to the American Cancer Society. Then he said he’d
see us in New Orleans at the Cafe du Monde & I said we’d all have beignets!!!!
In closing….y’all were thinkin I’d never get to the end, right? lol…I just want to express my deep, deep gratitude for what y’all have done to make my dream
come true in such a special & unforgettable way. I feel like I’m finally livin MY
life again, and it’s all thanks to your Caseyness!!!
Much, much love,
Daydreaminmeme/Barb
God bless Barbara and her family... I am so touched to have known her....for the little time I did.... she will be so missed. We love you....
Go to the light Barb....go to the light.
Until next time... :'(
Lovely tribute. Thanks for putting this together. Glad she got her "Casey Moments".
ReplyDeleteRIP Barbara.
Norma Williams
Beautiful celebration of a wonderful woman. RIP Meme. We'll miss you.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and touching she is a true angel :')
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute, Glenda. I was one of the lucky Casey fans to have the pleasure of meeting Barbara. Not only was she beautiful but she made me feel like I had known her all my life. We had our picture taken on the bull at Billy Bob's. I'll cherish that forever. Thank you, Glenda for bringing this tribute to us. Jeanette Wiggins
ReplyDeleteIt's all I could do, I felt helpless. So writing about this lovely woman was what gave me closure. She touched my life in the short time I knew her....she will be missed.
ReplyDelete