Mr. Ashman,

I don't think you receive enough appreciation, probably because you left this world long before it was your time, so I make an effort to think of you every day. That isn't too difficult since I listen to the songs you and Alan Menken composed for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdinregularly. I have considered for quite a time what I would write about you to share with others, and I decided it would be best to detail how you have inspired me.

Even though we have never lived at the same time, I wish I could have the chance to thank you for the positive impact you have had on my life. First, I would like to thank you for writing the lyrics to the songs of my childhood. I mean, "Part of Your World" was the first song I learned the words to, and there is no telling how many people share some sense of warm nostalgia because of your work. Hopefully you knew this in life; hopefully, this remarkable feat made you happy.

I would also like to thank you for something else. Once I learned about you through some behind the scenes video from The Little Mermaid, I wanted to learn about all the people who pour their heart and talents into telling a good story at Disney.

At first, I wanted to learn everyone's names so I could at least internally thank them for making me so happy. And with time, as I started to recognize the individuals who united from different walks of life to tell important stories, I imagined that maybe I could be like them; maybe I could be like you.

So thank you, Howard, for your iconic lyrics, through which your spirit lives and inspires generations to come. Please, rest in peace, assured that you left the world with a little more magic.