I was asked to choose my favorite photo of Bobby Darin, and then write a few words describing the way he's changed me, made me feel. This is not my favorite picture. To pick the one I liked the most would have been too difficult, but the more I stare at this one, the more I realize it was the right one to choose. It's not Bobby at his best, some might say. He's not posing, ready with a smile, acting out for publicity. But rather he's glowing inside. A moment beautifully captured of him surrounded by whom I believe were the two most important people in his life.

I cannot begin to put down in words just how amazing he was or even how he has touched my heart in such a way that I now have music to turn to, shows to turn to whenever I'm feeling low.

Remove the glitter, lights, and cameras and Walden Robert Cassotto himself was an incredible man. His fall to the bottom, at such an early age, drove him to the top, drove him to succeed!

Walden is not famous for his pretty face or because he knew certain people who helped him get there. Walden is Bobby Darin because he was born to be and he chose to be. That music in his soul, that longing in his heart, all the talent he had inside him, and all the work he did is why he is Bobby Darin.

He cared about family, he cared about people, he was a man of far too many colors to describe them all. He wanted to perform. He and that stage were made for each other, and every performance was all of him, exactly what he wanted you to see of him. Bobby was not just in the spotlight, he was the spotlight! And he gave 110 percent! But the most wonderful quality, above all, the one that shines through in him so much, is his love for his son. It's unlike his love for the stage—it's deeper than that, as is his love for his wife, Sandra.

There is no way I can explain just what he's done for me, for the list is far too great. But I will say this. Thanks to him I have a new found strength in myself to achieve my own goals in life, and he will always be there to give me strength.

I love you, Bobby Darin, and miss you deeply.

Sarah
December 2006