Thank you “Everyone” for the outstanding honor you have bestowed on me.
What a total surprise, to be so honored by the BCKA and from Kite Friends from all over the world, plus one’s home town which even makes it a more heartfelt occasion.
I have never felt so humble and so proud at the same time.
It is hard to believe that all this had been in progress for the last 18 months and I never had the slightest clue. I have always thought that kite flyers could not keep a secret, but MAN was I WRONG! What a great worldwide family I have belonged to for the past 26 years. I have had the privilege of being fully sponsored to international kite festivals around the world, which has given me the chance to know and understand that the world is full of beautiful people of every creed and race.
The heartfelt joy I see in people’s faces when they invite me to sit with them and share their humble meal, the bottle of wine that shows up at my table while eating at a restaurant with a little note saying “Thank you”. People from all walks of life stop me in the street, to shake my hand and give me a hug with the thumbs up sign. I thank the guy upstairs for bestowing on me the gift to make so many people forget their troubles even if it is only for a few minutes.
Very special thanks to Gary Mark and his wife Michelle from Toronto for their inspiration idea and another special thanks to “The Committee”, Cal Yuen, Cathie Jung, Dianne O’Brien, Anthony Tung, Cathy Tung, Jeremy Perceval and Dan Millsap for making this inspiration become a reality. It “Boggles” my mind to think of all the generous people around the world, who supported this huge venture with their encouragement and their giving of funds—I thank you all. I also wish to thank all the people that have sent so many wonderful e-mails congratulating me. I must apologize to all the people trying to write in my guest book but we were getting so much Spam my Web Master closed it down for a while, I am sure it will be up and running soon.
Thank you for listening.
Ray
