A very meaningful excerpt from Sam's blog (from Malaysia) about her Father and the part she wrote to me there:

By the way, here I'm also take a chance to blessing my best friend-Rich."Happy Father's day".
First time I chat with  Rich is at ICQ, I'm remember the situations I chat with him is I have some personal problems, and I was very sad and give up, I'm also lost my confident. I was the person seldom shared difficult position, I'm just sharing my happiness to others, I didn't hope they will worry about me.
And Rich, you are the first person I'm feel comfortable to shared, you are so kindness and friendly, you are caring and understand me. Your support to me is very useful and important, I'm always thanks God, cos I'm find you, you are my angel, you are precious for me. I'm so proud and lucky to be your friends.
I'm know my English is poor, as you said my "Samlish" English, hahaha..but I'm really sincerity, here to thanks to you. I'm appreciate you. You are my best friend and you also a very great and amazing daddy for your daughter. You are sunshine for everyone around you.
Wish all the best to you, joy and happiness, healthy and take good care always.

And a very nice email from my friend Beth, who is a teacher in Kunming China:

My Weekend

Once again, I had that amazing weekend totally filled with volunteer activities. Yep, I might be a bit addicted to volunteering, but its fun and it helps other people and really good organizations.

Friday: I volunteered at the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for life”. This event raises money for the AMC and many people, who are there, are cancer survivors and those who have lots family or friends due to cancer. This event was held at my Sarah’s High school so there were a lot of kids who also volunteered to help setup at this event. I was just there to help on what needed to be done but I ended up supervising groups of high school kids which was great for me. I get the task organized and they do the work. Haha. But it was important they do the work because they learn from it and do they get credit for it. Some of the tasks I had them do were putting up banners along a fence, putting up signs around the foot ball field and many smaller tasks. When m group of about 10 kids was getting the signs ready to put along the track on the outside of the foot ball field, one student counted the signs and very quickly did the math in his head on what spacing would be needed to circle the track, which is what was required. SO, I put him in charge and I walked along with my group and directed questions from the other students to him. What I love is giving kids a chance and being in charge – making mistakes – learning what it takes to be in charge and hopefully taking away an appreciate of this responsibility. Kids will always exceed your expectations when given the chance and guidance when leading others. This student was no exception. I left when the event was underway. Today – 7 hours.

Saturday: I volunteered at the Chicago “4^th annual Chalk Festival”. This was a pretty awesome event and probably one of the most FUN events I have helped at. The purpose of this event is to provide mental health services to children and teenagers with limited or no access to help. Companies sponsor sections of the sidewalk in “OZ Park” in Chicago where artist draw wonderful and creative drawings from chalk. This is a huge kid’s event with high school choir groups singing and other forms of entertainment for kids. I helped at the “Bounce” event. That is a very large, air filled, structure where kids get to go inside and jump around and have fun. I did that for about 1 hour. It was great seeing all the little kids there and the fun they would have. I love working with kids J  after that, I helped take tickets with the Clown, who was making animals from balloons. She was a great clown who, from our conversation, turned out to be a grade school teacher. When this was done, the group I was with got to see the AMAZING works of art that were drawn on the sidewalk. Please take a look at: http://www.arttherapyconnection.org/ChalkFestival2007.htm

To see what was done last year. Amazing pictures!!!

When it was over, my group went out to a late lunch. Fun and relaxing. I always meet such wonderful people who give of their time for great events. Today – 4 hours.

Sunday: Today’s event was the “Ride for AIDS”. This event was a 2 day, 180-mile event, and today was the closing ceremony held at Northwestern University in Evanston.  The group I was with, onebrick.org, was there to help on a number of things. I and another person where there to greet and cheer on the riders when they arrived back from the trip and direct them where to go. Other people helped with getting them food and providing any assistance they needed to get ready for the afternoon event. Once all the riders were in, we went to a different part of the campus to help direct those who rode to the closing ceremony. Afterwards, five of us in the group went out for a nice and relaxing dinner. Today – 4 hours.