To those who deserve it...

Over the course of my life, there have been people who have really made a difference in my life and it occurred to me just recently that I may or may not have given them recognition for said difference. Those people are (in chronological order):

My Dad: the single biggest contributor. He instilled in me the basic work ethic and that being an engineer didn't mean I was exempt from that ethic. He also was my rock. Even in death when I had to fight to end his life so that he wouldn't have to endure as a vegetable, he steeled me to do what was necessary for my Mom when it came down to the same decision.

My Mom: She believed in me when no one else would, she loved me unconditionally and showed me what it meant to be the David against the Goliath.

Scott Saifer: He enabled me to actually realize my dream (and my Dad's) of being an engineer. He endured many years of annoying and irresponsible behavior on my part and I appreciate everything he taught me.

Scott Storms: He is the closest thing I have to a brother. My time racing with him as my teammate is irreplaceable. He pushed me (or just made me realize what skills I already possessed) and helped me coalesce as a bike racer and as an engineer.

Claudia Santucci: This woman taught me the meaning of the word "determination". I have never seen someone with such dogged resolve to do what she wanted. She came to the US from Germany as a pregnant, 15 year old high school drop out who followed her boyfriend. His promise to take care of her and provide for her turned out to be working as an usher and screwing every other girl in site. She set out on her own with her Autistic child and did just make do, she excelled. She is now a ER doctor that owns her own house and has never had to make payments on a car for more than 6months before paying it off. She "trained" me on how to be a man, or at least how to be a grown-up.

Suzanne Earlene Peterson: What can I say about Suzanne. She frustrates me, but I love her so dearly. She is the sweetest, most loving thing on the planet. Unlike most people (and very much like the animals she loves so much) she loves so unconditionally that it's almost painful. She is so beautiful and lovely. She made me see who I could be, how happy I could be and gives like only my parents have ever been able to. I so wish they could have met her.

To all of you, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.