If friends are gifts, then I have been showered with treasures befitting a king. I do not exagerate when I say that I have some of the greatest friends a man could ask for. And I do not hesitate to say that they have all helped me to become the man that I am today (at least the good parts). I have friends that I have known since kindergarden and those that I have only known for a year or so--and everywhere in between. And some of those most recent friendships seem like they have existed since childhood. I have friends from San Francisco, from the Peninsula, from San Diego, family friends, friends of friends, and just random friends. There is a wide variety of them, for they come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, ages, and places. However, each and every one of my friends hold a special place in my life.

I hesitate to list them all because space will not permit it, and I do not want to leave anyone out because there is a whole slew of them (and as my friends do know, I have a tendency to have some brain lapses now and then--not that that excuses them). But, I hope that people know who I am talking about "my friends." I hope that I express myself adequately in everyday life so that there is no abiguity as to how I genuinely feel.

Whenever I have truly needed help, there has always been someone there for me. When my heart has been broken, when my life seems to have taken a turn for the worse, when I have been all 6's and 7's's, when I need to celebrate, or just when I want to hang out, there is always a good friend to be there by my side. It is the greatest feeling in the world to know that you are not alone.

My fraternity teaches that no man is an island. And that the realization of the impoortance of the give and take of relationships is not only necessary, but is one of the keys to life. The ability to both ask for help when in need, and the good sense to give help (even when it is not asked for) is an art form and a sure sign of a gentleman. Friendship is a necessity, duty, responsibility, gift, and blessing. Our associations with mankind are the most valuable we can hope to attain.

There have been definate times in my life when I could have turned down the wrong path, but my friends have steered me toward the path which has made me a better man, citizen, and human being. If not for their guidance, I would surely have stumbled more than I ought to have. I firmly believe that a person rises up to the expectations set forth by those around him/her. Because my friends have expected the world of me, I owe them the world and hope that someday I can attain those lofty goals. In the meantime, I have to say thanx to all of those that have stayed by my side and been there in times good, bad, and in between. You have made the bad times easier to bear, the good times that much sweeter, and all the other times more fun than I could have ever imagined. In other words, you have made it all worthwhile. Peace out. ;-) KL

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