It is hard to believe that 20 years have gone by since I joined this wonderful bunch of people! I have been a Life Member most of that time (since approx. 2001). Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you in person. However, my health has prevented me from doing more than I'm able in the way of conventions and other gatherings. i have now had 7 heart attacks, the most recent being October 29 of this year. As a result, I have 17 stents in my heart. Also, I have End Stage Renal Failure and am on dialysis 4 days per week. The combination of these illnesses have now created a shortness of breath that cannot be explained as yet. It sounds like a lot but our God is a good God and he still wants me here on earth. My calling is volunteering and I do that in a local hospital on the one day that I don't go to dialysis. For as screwed up as I am, I still feel pretty good most of the time!!!!

The Chip Board has meant a great deal to me. While I don't know many of you in person, I feel we are like old friends as I read many of your comments daily. I sill enjoy picking up a chip here and there but my collection had dwindled over the years. I take great pleasure in telling others about chip collecting as it is, as most of you know, a foreign subject to most non-collectors!

Thanks again for sharing your chips and stories with me. I value the friendships I have made because of our club!

Thanks and blessings,

Rich