Thanks to everybody for the birthday wishes, I appreciate it.

Life has not been so easy for me lately. Me, I'm fine. But things all around me are tough. There are family problems, business problems and health problems that I have to deal with. It has just been a surreal experience for me for the last month or so. And it keeps on getting more difficult. Last week I was in Alaska and spent time with family and friends. One of my friends just did not seem right. When she got back home, we got her to check into the best hospital in town and it turns out that she has a brain tumor. I was crushed. We won't know how severe it is until Thursday, so she will be constantly in my prayers until then.

I keep on learning how important it is to sit back and focus on what is really important and not to let the little stuff bother you. Life is too short to spend time on the things that don't really matter.

The birthday greetings from all of you remind me of the importance of friends and that is something that really matters. So thanks, friends for giving me a smile. I am touched by your kindness.