I posted this on ArchuletaFans.Com.  This goes out to my fellow Arch Angels, who make up one of the most wonderful fanbases I've ever known. Living up to David Archuleta's good-naturedness, the Arch Angels have made it a point to try and not  bash other contestants, to be humble in the midst of their idol's greatness and gracious even in temporary defeats, and to simply enjoy and bask in the glorious music that David Archuleta has gifted them with.

Dear fellow Arch Angels,

Last night, we saw the end we've long been waiting and working for. It wasn't the end we'd expected, the end we'd hoped and prayed for, but it was the end, nonetheless. Or a figurative end, if you will, for I do not doubt our David's journey has stopped last night, nor do I doubt that our journey with him has also come to an end.

I can't exactly claim to put into words what we must all be feeling right now. I know I'm grieving... because David did not win the title, because all the negative things we've endured for the past weeks seemed to have catapulted in last night, because what should have been his triumph wasn't. I try to be brave like him. I try to smile, just like he did, and comfort myself by saying that it had been an honest competition, that perhaps the other contestant was really that good, that he deserved it more than our David... I tried to think like him, to be humble and to concentrate on the positive side of things, like he once said.

But I lack the grace that he has, that stubborn joy that makes him incandescent. I hope you don't think me bad for this. I hope you realise that yes, it's okay for us to be sad even if the person who should be the most disappointed tries to be strong. So I grieve, if only for a brief time. Or maybe longer, as I can already see the kind of news the media will say about him. Longer even, since I know people around me will mock me for being on the losing end, for believing so much in this young boy, so much so that I've cut out part of my life for him.

I've read stories in this forum about people being taunted for supporting David. I've undergone the same things, and last night will make it worse for me, if anything. I've given up trying to explain to them, trying to make them understand the incredible magic David has and how he has touched my heart... many hearts. They must be made of stone, those cynics, and I just want them to leave me alone lest they taint me and my ideals, my newly resurrected belief that there are lots of good things in this world.

David Archuleta is one of them. You, my fellow Arch Angel, are another.

From the start of this competition, I had predicted a David Archuleta win not just because of his magnificent voice and the fanbase to match, but because the said fanbase's dedication. I saw how you covered up for each other in voting, how everybody strived to vote as fast and best as they could. I witnessed the conceptualisation and eventual putting into action of the International Voting Project, saw the work put into the wristband, the shop and the scrapbook... Each time, the heartwarming silliness of it all made me smile and me so proud to be one of you. To be amongst you.

I guess I can go as far as to say that yes, you inspired me just as much as David Archuleta did.

It's amazing, really, just fantastic, they way people from different countries and cultures have gotten together and have leaned on and supported each other for this young man. I mean, if there had been something called "Fan Idol", I think we're more than deserving to be crowned the winner, don't you think? ;)

See, I'm feeling better now, just thinking of you guys, listening to David's music, and remembering all that has happened before now. :) Thank you so much, fellow Arch Angels, for being here for David. For being here, friends only through the Internet and yet being able to share my heart and mind.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! :) I'm sure we'll be seeing each around this site. :D

With love,
Jade
(archuletaisheaven)