An old Japanese proverb says:  "When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends."  If this is true, I must have great character, not because of me, but because of the company I keep.  Many of my friends are supporting me in this trip of a lifetime and I hope I can find a way to repay them.  Too numerous to mention, but they know who they are, I am most grateful that I consider them my friends and my life has been greatly enriched because of them.