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TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE OF MY LIFE….

I can only hope that someone thinks of their relationship with me as reverently as I do with each of you.  My words are simple and lacking, but I hope that my actions may someday demonstrate how I feel for each and every one of you.  Thank you for being who you are, and for giving an undeserving bum like myself the honor of knowing you.

1)  Mom and dad, there is nothing I can do in my life to return the immense amount of hard work and emotional commitment that you have put into me.  All that I know to do is honor you with my actions every day, and pray that it is enough.

2)  Jill and Jon, for as badly as we fought when we were kids, I cannot imagine my life without you guys, now. 

3)  Jesse, you are a man of incredible depth, passion, and inspiration.  May your well of compassion and inner strength never run dry.

5)  Thomas, I have no friend that I have known longer or cherished more over the years.  You are among an elite group of people that never ceases to provide me with the basis of trust that humanity can be inherently good.  I idolize you in many ways... yet you make yourself so approachable. 

6)  Droneys, I think that I could write novels just about your character.  I could search the world for any one of you and never hope to find another half as brilliant, bubbly, and engaging.  The world should feel lucky to have any one of you, much less an entire family.

7)  Aunt Debbie, I probably know you least best of any on this list, and I often feel that I have cheated myself out of not getting to know you better.  Your dedication and integrity helps to set the bar higher for myself in my everyday life.

8)  Cousin Hillary, like your mother, there seems to be some unattainable standard of existing that far exceeds my own... and not a hint of arrogance has tainted my image of you as it has so many others in my life who have done so much in so little time.  I continually wonder how you do it.

For those persons without the benefit of email:

1)  Grandpa, for a man with little to say, your presence often speaks volumes.  I think of you often.

2)  Aunt Jane, a lady with a special intangible gift to make me smile with nothing more than a look.

3)  Cousin Melissa, fight it all you want, there is no escaping the fact that you are a sweet kid.

4)  Cousins Daniel and Benjo, you guys simply rock.  For as much as you may seem so ordinary on the surface, there is an incredible amount going on in your heads.  May all your dreams come true.

5)  Ken Morris, if southern baptists could be cannonized, you would be right there with Belle and Meryl when it comes to my votes.

6)  Jon Witherspoon and Sarah Roney, I fully expect you guys to be famous someday.

7)  Deacon, I know you don't understand english, but you do understand unconditional love.  My aptitude for learning about life vicariously is not just limited to people.  When I see you next time, I will give you a hug no matter how stinky you are.