FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO MY SON JASON AND MY FATHER EUGENE If we are fortunate, during our lives we make a few very good friends. I have been blessed with many such friends. In August, I was in a very bad car accident. Jason was with me. The car, less than a week old, had both driver and passenger airbags in the front. God was very good to us in that Jason's injuries were not major. Mine, however, were not. Except for Jason, I have no close immediate family in the area. If it weren't for my association with the fire department, Jason would have found himself alone at the accident scene until some phone calls could be made. As it was, he knew many of the people who responded. I�have no�recollection of the accident, and spent three weeks in a coma. Those who called and inquired about my condition were told that it was not good, and our chief was told that I was not going to make it. Well, call me stubborn, but here I�am. I'm on a disability leave from the fire department right now, and the docs won't discuss with me when I can go back. I've also been told that I can't even THINK of riding the horse until perhaps fall. I�went back to work 2 weeks after leaving the hospital. It's been a long haul. At times a�very painful haul. But I didn't have to go through it alone. So, for the following, I thank you for your support, your patience, your love, your guidance, and for being there. Val, Dan, Mark, Lynne, Al, Julia, Nancy, Mel, Marsha, Marc, Kevin, Cassie, Veda, Buddy, Patrick, Katie, Kim G., Patty N., Pat J., Lisa, Greg, Carol, my Michigan family, Buttercup, Mrs. Buttercup, my PSC friends, Marc and Ellen G., Dad, Betty and the boys, Timmy, Mary Ellen and�Wayne, Greg, Debe and Gary, Bob, "Peter Pan", Jim, Tom, Peggy, chiefy, Penny V.� For the "Mother Hen Brigade". I know I scared you, and for that I'm sorry. I wouldn't hurt any of you for the world. I didn't intend to almost die twice. It wasn't on my agenda for the day. Whatever happened, and whatever is in the future (for the docs don't know if I'll ever make it back to the fire department even as an EMT), I will always have a special place in my heart for all of you. For those who responded to the accident, thank you first for comforting my son. Thank you for saving my life. I personally always dread those serious calls when it ends up being someone you know. Thank you for your quick action and your professionalism under difficult circumstances. I�have been truely blessed. � �