After I left Sea World we didn't see each other until we both were at Torrey Pines High school to watch both of our daughters perform in a show. You are still the same wonderful person I met 20 years ago! When our girls were performing Pippin, the show that they would take to Scotland, you knew I was having a tough time with my dad going thru cancer and I had a lump on my breast that they weren't sure yet if it was cancer and you told me to be strong and you said you would pray for me and at this time you were thinking of me and I had no idea what you were going through! Well, I just want you to know that my prayers are with you and your family. I'm here if you need me... Have your little ones come over for a play date so you can rest...anything you need!

You have so many people who love you (I'm one of them) because you give so much love to them!!

Through God's divine providence, I have the honor to know you and be blessed by our friendship. It certainly has grown via email and short hugs at church lately. But it's deep from a place only God can create. You are so loved by so many and now I know why.

I'm proud to be among those whom you call friend and Christian sister. I'll look forward to hearing you sing "Celebrate", "I Will Survive" and any other powerful song that shouts to the world that you've beat this!

Love and God's Blessings to you, Troy and the kids.

I just spent last weekend walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Long Beach. I stayed at Steph and David Mendoa's house, who are the one's to share your news. I walked 39 miles with 1600 people who have been affected by BC.

In all future walks/fundraisers I do, I will honor you, my mom and other friends who have been touched by this disease. I will do what I can so our girls don't have to fight for a cure. You are truly an inspiration and I hope you know how much you are cared for.

See you at the concert, I hope! Your spirit surrounds us all!

Thank you so much for that.

Though we have not spoken over the years, I can see by reading the comments that you are as loved and appreciated by many as you were back in the day.

You are one of those few people in life that touch whoever they come in contact with in a positive and inspiring way. Your smile shines as brightly as your heart.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know that you can beat this and those of us who love you stand with you. If there is anything that you need or that I can do...please let me know. My nursing expertise is in pain management and palliative care...and my life work is in advocating for people to have access to care. I have contacts within the ACS, Susan G. Komen, Cancer Care and the Lance Armstrong Foundation as well as many other organizations...so if there is anything you need...just say the word.

Be well my friend...though I won't be there for the concert in body...I will be there in spirit.

You are the best, my friend, so please keep fighting away and let me know if there's anything I can do. I'm more than happy to meet at the park and swing on some monkey bars with ya' - or, you know, just watch other people do it - 'cause it's actually really hard....

I know you will survive this Mattie. Since I first met you (and I'm sure everyone else that knows you can attest to it) I saw your spirit - a spirit that lives in your heart of strength, courage and determination for life. With this spirit you have touched so many people but now you need to draw on it to endure this.

It is wonderful to read the messages here and know you have so many friends and family around you for love and support. Don't give up the fight! Please know we are all praying for your recovery and want to give you any help we can. The saying, "Let go, and let God" comes to mind. Sounds like relief to me, and good advice.

I admire your strength and that is what I pray for and the endurance to keep plugging through this. I know it is a long process because I went through this with one of my girlfriends and she has been cancer free for over 20 years. so keep the faith and we all will too.

Anyway, Laymon walked up to me and said "hello, nice to see ya", all while not missing a note on his bass. And then, Mattie, you came down and out into the audience and sang "At Last". You walked right up in front of me. And for just a second, while you were singing, you looked right into my eyes.

Mattie, it was through you that I met Eve. Eve is a wonderful person and she has a heart much bigger than the moon. She cares so much for so many. Especially, she cares for you. Me too.

I know how much your friendship means to Eve. My best friend and I are celebrating 50 years of friendship this year and I wish the same for you and Eve a bit further on down the road. :-)

You are in my thoughts and prayers every day.

I don't know where I would be in this crazy world without your love and support and wisdom and light. You give so much and never ask back a thing. God sent you to me to show me what unconditional love looks like... and to give me something to shoot for. You make me want to be a better person and our friendship fills my heart everyday.

I am praying for you and know that you are healed now. God doesn't work this hard to bring people together for nothing... there is so much more to do and so many people need to hear your story! I love you!

With the group of friends you surround yourself with, you might hear words of support and encouragement all the time, but I still have to say mine. Keep up the good work, continue with the strength you have already shown, and be sure to let me know if there's anything I can do for you!