But it wasn't until mid-November, when 'Lord of the Dance' was shown on TV, that the whole thing really hit me. Nothing I'd seen or heard had prepared me for what happened as I sat there watching it. I experienced a great surge of emotion that was like nothing I'd ever felt before. It was joy, and exhilaration... and yet I was almost crying, too. I still can't really define it. The best I can do, is this...
 

Once or twice in your life, if you are very lucky, you may encounter a book or a film that you not only see and hear, but also *FEEL*, right down to the depths of your soul. That is how I reacted to 'Lord of the Dance'.
 

I won't go into the details of how I discovered the 'Lord of the Dance' Visitors Book and made friends with many people (some distant, some right here in my own city) who post there... but I would like to say 'Thank you' to those who took the trouble to reassure me that I was not going crazy, and that my reaction to 'Lord of the Dance', and my extraordinary feeling of loyalty to Michael (whom I have never met), were not weird. I could tell you about my dreams for the future, but I won't - not yet, anyhow. The important thing is that after a very sad 18 months, I *can* dream again. The aimlessness and sense of futility are gone. Suddenly I have the urge (and the courage) to change my life, to learn new things, and to strive for goals I'd forgotten I even had. I don't know where all this is taking me, but I feel a joyous anticipation. Nor do I understand the power and the magic of Michael Flatley and 'Lord of the Dance'... but it is there, and it is strong, and it is changing the lives of so many people. I am proud to be one of them.

Judy W., Brisbane, Australia - 11 Dec 1997.

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