To all parents of adult children… remember how we couldn’t wait until our children got older so that we wouldn’t have to worry about them so much?  One of my good friends once said during a thoughtful moment, “being a parent is a life sentence.”  Wow!  How true!  As many of you know, our 2005 started out with our daughter, Stacey, getting very ill and quickly requiring emergency brain surgery.  She’s fine now, but I’ll never forget how frightened we were as we went through that difficult period with Stacey, her husband, their children and our entire family.

There is no relief from parental worry.  We now have three grandchildren, and, of course, worry about every sniffle and cough just like we did when our children were small.  It is a “life sentence,” but a glorious one!

With Stacey’s illness I was quickly reminded of the most important priorities in my life.  All those quests and victories I thought were so important throughout my business career came slamming down to insignificance.  Family and the people you love, next to our God, I believe, are the most important things in our lives.

I certainly do not wish a family crisis on anyone as a priority reminder.  I urge you to use our experience and lesson to help guide you on your life journey.  It has always been easy for me to get drawn into our secular culture.  When I’m thinking secular, I desire what I don’t have instead of enjoying what I do have.  We had a close call and we thank God often for the positive result.  I want to always remember how quickly and sharply this focused me on God, my family and friends.  Nothing else mattered!

I intended this letter to be my personal review of 2005, but of all the things that have happened, the most important thing for me was being driven to the only treasures that really count — my God, family and friends.

Thank you for everything.  It’s a pleasure and honor for me to have the opportunity to work with you.  I wish you and your family a healthy, spiritual and prosperous 2006.

Sincerely,