You are so very welcome, Bryan. 

(Big Smile)  Your words made my week.  Thank you.

It’s all about taking care of family.  All of us on this list have a common interest and, thus, a common goal.  As far as I am concerned, that makes us family. 

My late grandmother taught me that all any of us have is our good name and our good word.  She taught me that when one says he/she is going to do something then she/he had better be willing to move heaven and earth in order to keep that promise, in order to keep that good word intact.  I grew up in Kentucky and we were extremely poor.  In our darkest hours my grandmother would tell all of us little kids that all a poor man has are his dreams and his good name.  She taught us to treasure these above all else for once they are gone they can never be replaced.  She once said to me, “No one can take your good name away from you; that is something that you must throw away.” 

When I was ten years old, I asked my Uncle Alfred to loan me some money for a can of soda and a candy bar.  I will never forget what he said in reply.
He said, “Mark, I am going to give you this money based on your promise to pay it back by the end of next month.  When that time comes, I will not ask you for my money back but if you do not have the money or if you do not come to me and explain why you do not have it, I will never loan you money again.
Do you understand your Uncle?”  I nodded that I understood.

The next month came and I had shoveled Cole, cut grass, and collected pop bottles.  I had the money to repay him  on time.  When I took the money to him, he smiled at me and told me how proud he was of me.  He took the money and placed it in my shirt pocket.  I was stunned.  I told him that I did not understand.  He explained that all he wanted was to teach me about responsibility. 

Bryan, it worked. 

Since that time, whenever someone asks to borrow money from me, I tell them the same thing my late Uncle Alfred told me.  Sometimes people have kept their word to me and sometimes they have not but I can assure you that I have never, ever asked for my money back from them.  (Smile) I have endeavored to live up to both my Uncle Alfred’s and my grandmother’s standards.

I know this reply is longer than you expected but I wanted to share this with you.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the C D.

Most Sincerely,

Mark

—–Original Message—–
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [MSS] Internet Sharing with the Black Jack 2, It Can Be Done!!!

Hey Mark i just wanted to say thank you.  You are a man of your word.  When you asked me for my address to send me a copy of the Black Jack 2 programs CD, I gave it to you but i will admit that I didn’t think it would come that fast or maybe even at all. 

I thank you and will never doubt you again.

You need to change your name to Mark the Man. 

You are a bad dude and I don’t think i could ever say that enough.

Thanks bro… 

Bryan

—– Original Message —–

Hello Bryan,

If you will give me your mailing address, I will put a copy of the
BlackJack
2 C D in the mail to you.

Mark