 Mary
I know I won't be able to completely express who Mary is to me. We have been friends for about 15 years. I have learned so much from her. She not only taught me who I was but she also modeled what a real friend and lady is. She loved me when I didn't feel lovable and showed me who I was through her eyes. We had a policy of being able to call each other at any hour, day or night. I miss the 3am calls. :) I can't tell you what they were about, you would never understand. :) I remember the weekend where we cemented and defined our friendship. A group of us from church was going to Mexico from Southern California to work with some kids in an orphanage. Mary had decided not to go. I asked her to at least say goodbye to us as we got in the camper to leave from a friends house. I knew she always had a sleeping bag and change of clothes in her trunk. When she came to see us off I grabbed her clothes and things and threw them in the camper. I sort of kidnapped her and took her with us. For the first thirty minutes of the trip she was really mad at me. The trip ended up being a wonderful time for me and I hope for her too. That was the real beginning
of a friendship that has gotten stronger and stronger with the tests of time. We would often talk about how wonderful life would be if we were to find someone who was as close a friend as we were to each other and to also have the addition of romance. :) Then she found her husband Jim. I am so thankful that Jim understands our friendship and has become a good friend as well. Next time I am in CA we need to go for a burrito and a beer, bud! :)
 Buzz
Now this man has been an interesting friend. Picture a 6'4" man who you might suspect cruises around on a Chopped Harley with ape hangers. Although he does love bikes he prefers tiny old British cars like a Mini or MG. He also has a huge heart of gold. In 1997 we moved in together as roommates in San Diego and after I helped him get his stuff moved in we picked up a couple of huge pastrami sandwiches. We sat in front of the just hooked up TV. We ate and I proceeded to have a major heart attack. I didn't know it until weeks later but this man sat outside my intensive care unit door for the next 2 days. He was a witness to my nurse screaming "Oh Shit" and running out of my room after inspecting me. That is a story I will relay in another area. Lets just say that is right up there with hearing your surgeon saying "Uh Oh"! ...Back to Buzz. He has had more jobs in more different fields than anyone I know. It is not that he can't keep a job... It is just that he is old... and a very intelligent and talented man. OK, Crazy too but that is a common trait of many of my friends. This year Buzz found out he is a
proud papa of a bouncing 26 year old daughter Jessica. He also has a son Jason I met recently. Now they will all be getting to know each other. Just in case you wondered... The brick background in his pic is NOT the walls of a jail. :)
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Barb
She has taught me so much. She has been a huge role model for me. Life is rarely fair but she has taught me to play the hand dealt to you. It is weird how fast what looks like a straight flush turns into nothing when that last card is turned over. We have been so close for the past few years. It seems like a lifetime. In fact it almost was. hehehe We have had some very interesting times together and many stories that would prove incredibly interesting to people but unless she tells them they will remain just ours. No, None of you could guess what I am talking about. :) I often relate to her term of having a "brain of Swiss cheese". Some stuff sticks while other stuff just falls through the holes. As I have been thinking about what to put on my site I remember the goofiest stuff and some stuff has fallen through the holes in my brain. Barb also introduced me to her mom who has become my mom. I am her "kid". <proud grin>
 Dean
Have you ever thought you would grow up to be an ostrich wrangler? That's right, that is what Dean is. He is also a Mr. Mom to his son Clancy (5). His wife Amy is a veterinarian and president of the American Ostrich Assoc (AOA). Rather than have Clancy left with baby sitters, Dean brought him everywhere he went. Clancy learned to play by the truck as Dean would wrestle 300 pound ostriches into a trailer. Dean has also been teaching Clancy as soon as Clancy was old enough to pay attention. He is now one brilliant little kid. Dean has been a good friend. He taught me about ostriches and ranching and I taught him how to design web pages. He is now a webmaster for the AOA and I have butchered a 300 pound bird. Dean was there along with Ann when I had my heart surgery. They spoke to my family as they waited for me in surgery. They both had a huge impact on my family. I thank them both for opening the eyes of my family as to who I am and why I was placed on this earth.
UPDATE: The family closed their eyes again... To say the least. hahahhaa
 Reah
She is a very sweet and funny lady. The night I met Laurie and her, I was in an odd melancholy mood. I was told I had them rolling on the floor, cracking up the whole night. Reah and I would often laugh for hours, through the night. We have never met face to face but I could not imagine we would be better friends if we do. I saw her take control of her life and make a better life for herself and her girls. It was scary but she did it. She has two kewl daughters. One is a beautiful angel and the other is a feisty strong willed li'l beauty that will turn out just fine. Reah met a wonderful guy over a local chat line and they are now married. He is one hellofa lucky man.
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 Ann
Ann is the funniest woman I know. She has that wonderful combination of smarts, beauty and humor. We both seem to see humor in the most bizarre situations. She faced 18 months of huge losses that would have crushed the strongest of people. It has been very tough for her but she is making it. Early last year I faced the decision between certain death or a surgery I didn't want. Many nurses, doctors, and family went for a full court press to get me to accept the surgery. One doctor even had tears well up in his eyes as he pleaded with me to face the knife. It was Ann and her support that made me decide it was something I needed to do. Initial recovery was a bear and Ann was incredible. I remember awaking from my surgery encircled by doctors, nurses, Dean, my parents and Ann. The first thing I did as I came too was to embarrass her in front of my family and the nurses and doctors. She was very embarrassed. It is amazing how someone's love can get you through things. I love you so very much, and treasure the friendship we have.
 Laurie
She showed me friendship, joy and love, unconditionally. We were the definition of confidant to each other. Laurie works to educate, train and socialize those kids who would never have a chance to get out of generations of hopeless poverty. The stories of her school kids is heart wrenching. Laurie has 4 children of her own as well. She is one of the most beautiful women I know. I just wish she knew that. It is so sad to see how bound-up the good hearted people can become. Her selflessness and devotion to her children is incredible and admirable. Laurie, I wish you peace. You will never know the impact her love had on my life. Your love will be with me forever.
 Joy
My "daughter". Kids can make you crazy... break your heart... keep you smiling... and love you to no end. Joy has truly been a daughter. Thousands of miles have kept us from meeting in the flesh but two people could not have affected each other more. The year after my illness Joy was there more than any family member ever was. Her care and concern was both incredible and heart wrenching. When we first met I had an internet group that was there for people who had no one else who could understand. Joy was a Dean and Professor at a major university in her country. On the outside she seemed to be doing wonderfully. It is amazing how our minds can cope with the great horrors and evil of this world. Soon after we met Joy's ability to cope broke. It was a very tough time for her. I was really honored that I was the person she opened up to and confided in. In the following years I witnessed real horrors and have seen great healing in her life. We have been through all the ups and downs a typical father-daughter relationship goes through. I love when she calls me "dad". It is a place of true honor.
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Ann
