Masaki:

It is very honorable to see someone such as yourself so excited about fatherhood. I am the father of three daughters, and I would not trade that experience for anything. Now, my daughters are all in their 30's. One is the top pharmacuedical sales rep in the US and headed for management. One is already there, with an insurance company. And one is the planning Attorney in LaPlatta County (Durango) Colorado, and is being courted by oil companies (and Native American Tribes -- who actually have the BEST jobs) for her future. Being a dad is having pride just like this.

But it is also like this. Had I had no children, the Paul Gauguin would NOT have been sold to GCT. Instead, I would have bought her! Yeah, right, just written out the check! Children are THAT expensive.

But you know what? If I had to do it all over again, I think I'd do it all over again just as before! The warmth of "my kids" exceeds that of any cold steel ship. And knowing that I have helped raise three very successful people is better than owning any ship in the world. Besides, owning a ship means continuted expenditures of effort and money. With kids, it is not that way. Now, I get calls saying, "Dad, can I help you?" It gets no better than this.

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)