Big Man’s stroke keeps Springsteen from visiting Wyckoff school, but Macie understands

EXCLUSIVE: In the wake of Clarence Clemons’s stroke came word from Bruce Springsteen’s manager to Macie, the 11-year-old 5th-grader from Wyckoff, that the Boss won’t be able to come to the Sicomac School to meet her teacher, as the youngster had hoped. But she understands. “Bruce would want to be with his BFF,” Macie told CLIFFVIEW PILOT through her mom.

Jerry DeMarco

06/16/2011 6:27 a.m.

The Big Man, Macie, the Boss

“I received an email from his Managers’ office saying that [Springsteen] would not be able to make it because he would be by Clarence’s side for quite some time,” Beth Sparozic told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. “Macie was a little disappointed but understands.”

She’s not giving up, however, on her wish to have Springsteen meet her teacher, Gail Cordello, a huge fan of the Boss who, Macie said, teaches students that “they can make their dreams come true.”

Mrs. Cordello also has Springsteen posters throughout classroom 5C and has shown her charges the rocker’s videos as inspiration.

“Macie said that if he doesn’t come this school year, she will ask him to come next school year,” Beth Sparozic said. “She told me, ‘Mom, dreams don’t expire. And Mrs Cordello waited this long. She can wait until school starts again in September’.”

This school year ends in exactly a week, her mother noted.

If Clemons’s condition improves, “maybe [Springsteen] will still come,” Sparozic told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. “I don’t want to give up hope, as it is such a nice thing Macie is trying to do for her teacher.”

See for yourself:

After hearing of the sax player’s condition, Macie — who, by her count, has seen Springsteen 10 times — sent the Big Man an email.

“I have learned many lessons while trying to get Bruce to my school, like how the communities are helping trying to get the word out,” Macie wrote, in a copy pasted on a Facebook page administered by her mom. “I learned how strangers come together to help and offer nice words to me for doing something nice for my teacher. This is why I am writing to you.

“YOUR fans,including me, are really coming out and praying for you! The love that is all over these boards [is] so special. I hope when I grow up I have a friend that is so special to me like you are to Bruce.

“I hope you get better really fast. I hope I get to watch you on stage again. I love watching and hearing you play your sax. I will pray for you and I really hope you get my prayers.

“Get better soon Mr. Big Man

“Love always

Macie”

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