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September 24, 2005

Dear friends,

I have read every entry on the forum and guest book today. I am so thankful I have friends like you. You are a rare bunch.

When I first bought the Lodge here in Branson, many of our employees came up to me and said: They had
never seen and witnessed a neater and more grateful group of people in their entire life. They watched
you at my show and how you dealt with each other. They told me about the many calls they received when you wanting tickets and how loyal and kind your comments were about me.

As I prepare to move forward with my life’s aspirations, I have to say, you'll never know how much I
have appreciated every little talk and comment you have ever said to me. Trust me, I paid attention and went to my knees many nights in prayer over you and your struggles and heartaches. Your lives are  important to me and your personal achievements are equally important for me to follow.

Just so you know, I am preparing a place in my journal to have every entry you have written about this profound moment in my life to be placed for review so my kids and grandkids can read about my true
friends one day. I also want to say this, I have made mistakes in my life, many while I was immature and a little naive, and will probably make many more before my life is over, but If I have ever said or done anything that has offended any one of you, will you please forgive me.

Life is so short, time is precious, and we all need to be moving in a positive direction while we have the time to do so.  Having bad feelings about another and letting a negative comment stop our ability to communicate with the ones we truly like and even love needs to be fixed some how. LOVE needs to be the answer every time. In one of our hymns it says: “As I have loved you, love one another.” This is the answer and will always be the answer as we head toward our final destiny together.

Remember, I will always have a special place in my heart for each and every one of you.  And also
remember this; I don't have my Brother Wayne’s memory. I won't always remember your name but I will
always remember your face and your precious smiles that got me through a lot over the years.

In closing let me say, “Attitude determines altitude.”  Everyday we have a chance to make a difference in a life we encounter. We can help change a negative world into a more loving and peaceful world just by our attitude. When you feel the world is beating you down or life is just too much to deal with, quickly turn to another person in your space and take a look at their world and what they are going through.  Forget yourself and help them understand how good it can be if they just change their attitude and be grateful for the simplest things.  In turn your world will not only change but be blessed by an unseen hand giving you understanding as to your own situations.  Blessings will flow both ways very fast if you practice this. Well, I didn't mean to preach, I just felt an abundance of love for each of you as I read thousands of entries about your love for me…

 I am your friend always,

Merrill Osmond