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The following was sent to us from Gregory Case, Photo Man. It is meant for you.... read on! 

"Thank you…
 
It’s my birthday month. When I was younger, mom used to hound me to write thank you cards for those who sent me a present. Being a child, I hated doing that. However, as time went on, I realized that she had a significant point—these were people who went out of their way to acknowledge an important event in your life. The least you can do is to thank them.
 
As I grew older, I started to think that the birthday gift celebration needs to be turned upside down. I should be thanking those who made a difference in my life for that year--not receiving presents.
 
In the past, I’ve taken this month to reflect and thank those who have been significant participants in my life. I don’t want the time to pass further and not make a point to stop and say “thank you.” I’ve sent letters to high school coaches and teachers for helping me along the path and setting examples of not giving up. I’ve sent thank you cards to my favorite local fast food restaurant. I’ve thanked past male friends and girlfriends who helped expand and mold my experiences beyond what would not have had experienced otherwise. I’ve written to a “sales rep” who helped me compile an expensive stereo system together and the president of that stereo company. I’ve written thanks to a hiring manager for offering me a job of a lifetime that lasted eight wonderful years. In addition, another manager who hired me for my first professional photography job that I was so inadequately ready for but she saw something in me at the time I did not see until several years later.
 
Unfortunately, some letters have not been written. I’ve lost contact with some who I regret I will not be able to tell them how much their presence meant to me. I miss thanking them greatly.
 
This August, I celebrate my sixth year of photography. During those six years, I’ve worked with wonderful clients and photographed people, events, and quilts that in my wildest dreams would not have thought possible. Currently, I have over 16 books that feature my photography (12 are quilt and textile related) and on my birthday month had such a cool gig photographing the Quilt Show. So now, it is my time to send you all a thank you card.
 
This month then, I celebrate and thank you, the Quilt Show audience, and crew. I’m so impressed with those audience members who have driven over 10 hours or more to sit in a studio to attend a day long Quilt Show taping. I’m so pleased to be a part of their audience who celebrate their birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other significant life events arranged around the Quilt Show taping schedule. I celebrate those who have invested your hard-earned money in a web site (especially in the beginning) that started out as a mere dream. I congratulate those who have written comments on the forums, posted your quilt photos, and told your stories. I thank those who take the time to write long letters/e-mails commenting on what you like—and want to see different—you’ve embraced the concept that it’s your web site and your community. I am impressed with those who send in comments, suggestions, and questions in the chat rooms faster than any guest could ever respond. In addition, I thank those who take the time to write comments to my blog ramblings, postings, and slideshows. I read every one of them.
 
Not forgotten in this thank you note are the almost 20 members of the Quilt Show crew for being so wonderful to work with. I sit with awe listening to the crew members who took the time between the tapings to reflect on how to make the show even better—who came in with ideas on improving their camera work, their lighting, their direction, their editing, and for keeping all the parts of the show working smoothly. They want this web community to mature and succeed.
 
I celebrate the two unsung groups: the staff members of Ricky's studio who hang the quilts, vacuum the floors, clean the bathrooms, set up the lodging, and take care of the often forgotten but significantly important infrastructure and those who maintain and improve the web site and the second unsung group are the staff at the La Veta Inn for feeding a large crew on time and with prompt service each lunch and dinner.
 
Finally, I want to thank Alex and Ricky, who responded to a very simple request of mine: do you need a photographer? Who, as has been the case, saw far greater potential in my simple request. They not only created a position for me, a la “Photo Man” (thank you Angel for the moniker!) but also have embraced the photography and the slideshows more than I could ever have dreamed. Elena and I are so pleased to call you friends. Thank you.
 
And since it is my birthday month, I'm pleased to announce, cake is now being served."

P.S. from Ricky and Alex -Happy Birthday Gregory. Speaking of August birthdays', Today is WebGuru Paul's birthday! Happy Birthday Paul!