First of all, I'd like to thank...

God has blessed me with such a wonderful family. Throughout my life it seemed I took such relationships for granted, used them, hurt them, and broke them as well. It wasn't until I submitted my life to Christ that I began to realize the ramifications of my actions and in some cases, reactions. As hindsight is 20/20, I have come to the conclusion that God's hand was in all of it.

So I would like to thank my mother for never letting a night go by that wasn't covered in prayer for my soul. My grandfather for showing me tenderness and a forgiving heart. My grandmother, for her useful warnings of the dangerous paths I was taking that always stayed in the back of my mind. My father for teaching me a sustained work-ethic, for the guy-things like fishing, hunting, tools, for loving me in my worst times, and also for the hard-love as well. My brother, for having the ear to listen and relaying brotherly advice.

For my beautiful wife, who never gave up on me. Thank you, baby. You saved my life. For my two sons, who teach me ever day how precious life is and melt my heart when I hear "Daddy" or they're sleeping in my arms.

For my in-laws who have given me such a great example of what it means to be a Christian. And thank-you for believing in me as well.

And finally, thank-you God for breaking through the mess that I'd made of my life. Year by year, I've seen how each one was a stepping stone to draw me towards You.

It seems I overlook the simple things in life sometimes. The things that tend to fade to gray as time is wont to do to them. But in remembrance, they become vivid like a Polaroid picture when shaken, and brimming with emotion. And I can see those so close to me, and the good times we've had, and the bad times we've had. But all in all, there's a lot to smile about.

'Cause we're all still family!