June 25, 2009. Dedicated to the life and memory of Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett and Ed McMann, as well as all the other precious souls we've lost.

I believe that we can all learn from one another. I also believe that we are all connected in some grand way, so what affects one, ultimately affects us all.

Hi Ellen – I thought you might enjoy this too.

I wrote this piece some time ago in recognition of all the multi-talented, creative and innovative stars who find themselves continually bombarded by fictionalized articles and imaginary depictions of their lives and their careers ….. artistically-challenged pieces that are manufactured solely for profit; counterfeit editorials and exposés designed to sell magazines and newspapers. We’ve all seen them! Sadly, we’ve all bought them.

These amazing stars give the world so much; they enrich our lives with their talent and their expertise and yet their own private lives are continually misconstrued, misinterpreted, interrupted, disrupted, disheveled, and chaotic due to inexcusable acts of selfishness.

Although ‘star’ itself almost always guarantees a spotlight and intense public interest and scrutiny, it should also ensure some degree of the ‘truth’ and allow for privacy, safety and most of all well deserved respect.

With deepest appreciation, respect and admiration for all that you are and all that you do to make this world a better place …. I love your show. Congrats on your marriage to Portia this last year.

Sincerely,
Frances E. Armstrong

P.S. The ‘joy’ I refer to in the poem is in direct relation to the stars themselves. All of these wonderfully talented people love to bring ‘joy’ to the lives of others and they add a great deal to the ‘human experience’ for the rest of us, but the relevance here is in reference to the star and the amount of ‘ joy’ and ‘bliss’ that they create for and see themselves.

Good Dreams Never Fade

You’ve paid the price; you’ve made your mark,
“A Star” beside your name,
You’ve beat the odds and claimed success,
Obscurity to fame.

But as I watch your ‘character’,
Expressions on your face,
I speculate about the life,
This rendition has replaced.

I see your creativity,
Perfected in a role,
That ‘mastered’ spontaneity,
It’s spilling from your soul.

Illusional projections,
Fulfilling all our dreams,
Only magnified in imagery,
Upon the silver screen.

You ‘spoon feed’ all our fantasies,
Our expectations mimed,
Through pre-conceived ideas,
Obsessions of the mind?

But are you standing still in time,
Cemented in the clone,
Of the characters and parts you play,
Do we celebrate alone?

Has “star” created barriers,
Achieved through sacrifice?
A vehicle for happiness?
Will fame itself suffice?

Do you ever want to tear it down
In angry desperation?
That false sense of security,
The walls of isolation.

Are you ever disillusioned by
The games that people play?
Their romanticized illusions,
Of what you do and say.

We feed the dreams they generate,
By looking at one side,
Of the complicated person,
Our slotted image hides.

Our narrow minded view of you,
Illusions of a “star”,
One facet of your life decides,
Just who and what you are?

I feel somehow we’ve let you down,
Refused to let you “grow”,
We analyze, we fantasize,
We pry, but never know.

Who are you when you’re not a ‘star’?
Where does your life begin?
It’s hard to see beyond the screen,
I’m outside, looking in.

What are your dreams and fantasies,
When you are left alone?
What images do you create?
What joy has your life known?

Do you wonder who your friends are,
When the whole world knows your name?
Or must you spend your time alone,
A prisoner of your fame.

Have you wondered what your future holds,
When all is done and weighed?
Well ….. time may pass and things may change,
But “good dreams” never fade!!

With Admiration and Love
Frances Somers-Armstrong.
Ontario, Canada.

dear ellen, as a Hillary Clinton supporter, and a feminist, I & many of my friends were disappointed that despite the fact that the Party claimed Hillary had the right to go all the way to the convention as a potential candidate, the Party forced her to concede. Our group would be very appreciative of your support of Hillary as a write-in candidate in the NHovember election? Can you help us communicate our interest to other women who feel that the demacratic party is dominated by men who forced the party to support the remaining male. Enjoy your show, very refreshing.

Dear Ellen,Could you help me please ?This time last year,my husband was having his right leg amputated above the knee,now the only way he can get get around is by a wheelchair that is totally worn out,and I am scared to death he is going to turn over because the yard is so uneven.I would like to get him a golf cart for fathers day,but I couldnt even afford the plug that makes it go.Could you maybe pull some strings and see if anyone could come up with perhaps a used one,we wouldnt care.Hes almost to the point where he cant piddle in the yard anymore.Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Thelma

I just want to say, 'Keep up the good work" and thanks for making me laugh.

Carol
From London, Ont, Canada

really Love wathcin "backstage", "behind the scenes", "rehearsals" & ect!! simpLy love watchin The Ellen DeGeneres Show! such an ADDICT..

Lotz of Luv.. From Singapore~!

Hi Ellen,
Hope you and your staff and your families had a great weekend? Ellen,hope you show that basketball shot you made when you were playing(horse basketball) that was a "sweet"shot on your 800th show on Friday.

Love you,

Michele

Ellen,
I love your show! and wanted to make it to orlando when you were there. You are sooooooooo funny too.
Lori

Hi Ellen!!

I watch you daily while doing my treadmill routine, I almost had an accident today watching the marshmallow game, the last contestant was hilaaaaarious!! I was laughing so hard I was crying! I TVO you everyday and had to play that bit over and over :)

Love you, you bring laughter to people's life and thats the greatest gift.

Lamia
Ottawa, Canada

Dear Ellen,
Greetings from Singapore! My daughter and myself watch your show everyday and we really enjoy it very much. The things you do for the unfortunate and bring a smile to those people touch our hearts. I think it is really great what you are doing giving back to the society and making us remember how to be helpful, kind and courteous to anyone in need regardless of any race. That is HUMANITY and the world will be a much more peaceful place to live in. I am divorce and taking care of my daughter myself. It is not easy because i have to work and and the responsibility is tremendous. I sometimes feel sad seeing families together and wish my life would be better. After watching your show i feel better because i realise there are people who are more unfortunate than me. I should be thankful for what i have. I hope that one day i will be able to come watch your show in America in person with my daughter. To give you the support that you are loved in Singapore and in Asia. Thank you so much and i will continue to watch your show. Please continue to air your show so that i can save enough money to come to your show in America. Thank you again, Ellen for the happiness, smile and laughter you bring to us.

Dear Ellen,

Since I am only 13, I couldn't send you an email, but I will post this comment and just hope you'll see it. On your Wiki site, I met a lady named Donna Jean, but she likes to be called Jeanie. She sounds like a very sweet lady. She helped me with doing everything I can to get on your show, but that doesn't matter now. It's just that she has helped me so much and I want to see if I can help her. She doesn't know I'm writing this, but she said it's her dream to meet you and have a dance off, even though she's 61 years old! I absolutely LOVE to help people and make them smile, so if you can please contact her somehow, it would mean so much to me. Thank you so much, Ellen. Your fan, Mackinzee