to Cynthia (Mish), my wife: Thanks, honey, for staying with me through our rough times. (My, child-rearing keeps you busy, doesn't it?!) Twenty five years, and growing stronger...

to Jim, my eldest brother: Thanks, Jimmy, for showing me how to age gracefully. Its encouraging to see you doing so well in your retirement.

to my older brother Bob: Thanks, Bobby, for being a royal pain in my ass when I was growing up (I'm sure the feeling was mutual) - and later, for being one of my best friends.

to my "little" sister: Thanks Joanie, for helping convince Cynthia to move back to New York!

to my big sister: Thanks, Peggy, for letting me stay at your house during the summer when I was a kid. Its too bad we live so far apart these days, but least we got to visit when we all lived in Texas - and you called me Emil first!

to Danny Bitz: Thank you, Danny, for being a "friend-for-ever" until we stopped talking several years ago. There's still time and I hope we can share some time together again. You know how to reach me, or at least your mom does.

to Pat McFarland: Thank you, Pat, for your unconditional love and acceptance, and your concern that I do the right thing.

to Jim Aragon: Thanks for your training with me, and then running together in the Austin Motorola Marathon (February 2001). You said, "Some people in the US feel obligated to push their beliefs on others. This country was founded by people who were fleeing religious persecution... well we're still here, *&%# !"

to Bill Hackenberg: Thanks, Bill, for being a friend who is not afraid to challenge me intellectually and recreationally. I've never met a person who plays a more competitive racquetball game, or who will argue for libertarian ideals as fervently.

to Brent Beck: Thank you, Brent, for providing me such a good example of LIVING IN THE MOMENT. You aren't afraid to show people your love of life, and your enthusiasm is contagious.

to Tom Ryan: Thank you, Tom, for demonstrating integrity for me as a teenager. You asked me if Joan (Murphy) and I were still dating before you asked her out. Wow. I'm still impressed as an adult.

to Robin Jill Engel: Thank you, Robin, for being a loving friend, on and on. Each time we meet, we pickup after years have passed and discover that "no time has passed" after all.

to Jack Farley: Thank you, Jack, for busting my chops about religion in 1998. I owned up to being a Unitarian. Arguing with you helped me do it.

to Guido Brusa: Hmmm! You character. You should live so long that you get to enjoy yourself a little. Thanks for bringing me into your family at one of the hardest times.

to Brian Cunningham: Thank you, Brian, for caring enough to speak up. You have helped me to re-evaluate... everything.