Congratulations to Loretta P. of Michigan who has been chosen for the Patti's Butterflies Fan Spotlight for December! Thanks to all who submitted entries for this contest. Want to be the next Butterfly spotlighted? Click here for more information.
Loretta's Winning Story: I have been a big fan of Ms. LaBelle for a long time. It has to be about 25 years or so. I remember being able to purchase my first radio when I was about 13 years old. Around the same time I was able to purchase the Winner In You cassette. My sisters teased me so much because I played the cassette constantly. To this day, my older sister still teases me because of that.
I made sure I kept up with all of her records after that one. I play them so much that I have to purchase another because they get scratched. I immediately go into a trance every time I hear her voice. I don't care where I'm at.
I have the video of Ms. LaBelle at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, MI saved on my computer. I have played it about 30 times in just one night. I am really into gospel music right now and was really touched when I saw Ms. LaBelle singing Walk Around Heaven. I really felt the emotions she had during that time. I too no longer have my parents with me physically but know that they are alright with God. My father died when I was 13 and my mother passed away about 9 years and 2 1/2 weeks later.
Ms. LaBelle's voice is so powerful and has healing powers. Her gift of song is definitely a precious gift from God. Her vocal range is just so awesome and is the ultimate thing she has shared with this world. The longevity and the strength she has encourages me to continue on no matter what. I am 36 years old and am married to a man that is a Ms. LaBelle fan as well. We have 3 children that have been listening to Ms. LaBelle's music for as long as they have been alive (10, 8 and 3). We sit around (me longer than the rest of my family) watching videos of Ms. LaBelle. She is such a giving person, very geniune, down to earth and not caught up in "Hollywood." She is very real and not afraid to speak her mind in spite of what others may say or think. I love everything about Ms. LaBelle.
I have been a big fan of Ms. LaBelle for a long time. It has to be about 25 years or so. I remember being able to purchase my first radio when I was about 13 years old. Around the same time I was able to purchase the Winner In You cassette. My sisters teased me so much because I played the cassette constantly. To this day, my older sister still teases me because of that. 
