Yuku free message boards

Unlike last year, the New Year approaching did not sneak up on me this time. This year, I clearly remembered that it was "that" time. It was that time of the year when I seek out our magical Clayboard Crystal Ball, wipe away a year's worth of accumulated dust from it's surface and gaze hopefully into its depths for the most sought after predictions of what was in store for our Clay and the Clayboard.

But for some reason, I was hesitating this year, holding back. I was afraid for some reason. I thought to myself why, why when so much good awaits the Clay Nation in 2008? Why do I feel such trepidation? What was holding me back?

I sat there for a bit, mired in my own fearful inertia. Then in my head I could clearly hear Foxy saying "Mama, stop being silly and get the Ball" (as only Foxy can ). So I attempted to put aside my silly uncertainties and headed for the hiding place that had sheltered our dear Clayboard Crystal Ball as the long months of 2007 ticked away in Clay Land. Yep, there it was in the secret hidden cupboard behind the old upright piano in the Bakery, where I had lovingly placed it after last year's gazing session.

I took it out, dusted it off, took a deep breath and a gulp and forced myself to gaze once again into the murky depths of our lovely Clayboard orb.

At first I saw nothing. But then the swirling darkness seemed to clear and I saw what appeared to be moments from the previous Clayboard year zooming by. I saw galas and Jimmy Kimmel. I saw Clay on a horse and holding a baby in Afghanistan. I saw ice skaters and Sedaka tributes and concerts and more concerts. I saw the word YUKU zoom by, and a $10,000 TBAF Camp for Clay's birthday card and posters named Moanica?!!

All these memories of 2007 were racing by inside the Ball and my previous feelings of fear and hesitation were now coupled with impatience. After all, I knew what had happened in 2007. Now I wanted our Crystal Ball to come forth with the predictions for 2008!

Suddenly the Ball went blank, but then a word swirled forward and as I squinted hard into the depths I could just make it out. It said "What?"

"What?" Why did it say "What?" What in the world did "what" mean?

As I sat perplexed, more words appeared. I looked deeply and it clearly read: "What are you afraid of?"

Holy cow! The Ball knows how I feel! The hair on the back of my neck stood up and I jumped a little as I heard a voice chokingly say the words, "I don't know," and then I realized, the voice was my own!! Oh my!!!

The words in the Ball swirled forward again. And my heart gave a little jump as I read them. It said: "Well I know what you are afraid of." Another gulp!

The Ball continued and the words came so rapidly that I had to read quite quickly to keep up!

It said: "In 2008, Clay will begin a year that will encompass changes and adjustments for not only himself but for his entire Nation. The Broadway stage awaits him and with it will come major adjustments in his world. And as he enters this new realm, so shall his fans. Whither thou go'est, as the saying goes. I know you are not afraid of his ability to achieve success in this enterprise," the Ball continued, "for do I even need to tell you...he will be AMAZING!!!!"

The Ball continued: "The year 2008 will also bring forth a new CD for all of Clay's fans to cherish. Again there is nothing here to fear, for as long as Clay and his fans remain united there can only be success! Remember what you always say," the Ball chided me, "Together, WE MAKE IT HAPPEN!"

The Ball's predictions kept coming: "In 2008, Clay will continue to make a difference through his foundation and through UNICEF, and the Clayboard and its members and staff will do the same. I know you have no fear that this is true, because you above all know so well the generosity, strength, unity and perseverance of Clay fans with a mission. The year 2007 saw the Clayboard raise more than $17,600 for TBAF, as well as donating close to 350 "Our Friend Mikayla" books to local schools and libraries! In the year 2008, Clay fans will continue to make their mark as the most generous and caring of all fandoms. And "right will always win."

The Ball went dark for a minute, as I sat smiling, mulling over the rosy picture of 2008 it had just painted for Clay. But my smile faded as I remembered that somewhere deep inside me the question of my unnamed, unexplained fear remained.

From the depths of the Ball, again as if reading my mind (but that's what Crystal Balls do I guess), came swirling forth the words: "You have nothing to fear. He will not forget you. He will always be your Clay."

The words made me start and sit straight up in my comfy chair beside the softly crackling Bakery fireplace. Oh dear, that was it! That was the nagging fear, unspoken and not even a conscious thought, but still lying there deep within the recesses of my heart. So many years, five almost, and now with Clay here we stand on the brink of a New Year that holds such potential for change as well as so much exciting promise. Could I truly fear that he would forget the Clayboard and those fans who long ago gathered to vote and request and share and love? Would all that we hoped for...this greater than great success, this larger audience, these hoped for hoards of "not just us" folks...mean that he would no longer be "ours?"

Tears clouded my eyes as I looked down again at the Ball beaming below me, now clearer and brighter than ever before.

And the words appeared: "The Clay that belongs to you, the Clay that belongs to the Clayboard, the Clay that belongs to the Clay Nation, can never EVER be lost to you. Because you love him, because you have walked this path with him for five long years, because you have lived the good and the bad, the triumph and the tragedy, the joy and the sorrow along with him...for all these reasons...he will ALWAYS belong to his fans first. That can never change. Some things can NEVER change."

And as if to punctuate those words, I could not be sure, but I thought I saw an image flash by:



I could only smile, and I found I could only speak two words:

"Thank you!"

The Ball said, "You are welcome! Enjoy 2008 Clayboard!"

As I picked up the Ball and returned it to its yearly hiding place, I saw it glow for just a second more. But I didn't look to see what it said. I didn't need to, for I already knew.

I knew it said "All Is Well!"

Happy New Year Clayboard!

Happy New Year Clay Nation!

Happy New Year Clay!

"Holding Fast, Home at Last"