So, it's been a long year guys. ***Very long post with update****

I know this place well so I know that lots and maybe most of you are going to crucify me without even reading this post but I owe some of you a huge thank you and though I do not owe anybody an explanation, I have one to offer to you fine people.

In December of 2020 my wife of 18 years passed away of a pulmonary embolism following a knee surgery at the young age of 44. I was devastated by the loss and financially unable to provide burial and funeral arrangements. I turned to you guys for help to raise the money and you more than came through for me with money and also support.

The GoFundMe link took you guys to my Facebook page and revealed my irl identify which was ok with me. Unfortunately a lot of checked out my background uncovering my criminal record and revealing the hard fact that I was/am an addict still in active addiction. That fact led to a large number of posters that withdrew their pledge which was fine but due to human nature a portion of posters assumed that I would use the money to get high or worse, that the whole thing was a scam to raise drug money and that my wife wasn't really dead.

At the time I wasn't mentally sound enough to defend myself and ease your minds to the situation. I loved this place and still do so it was tough watching my reputation and credibility here go to shite when I needed this place the most. For the record, had I seen that scenerio play out with another poster I would have doubted too.

I feel like I am spinning my wheels so let me get to the point. Despite many posters withdrawing their pledge I still raised enough money to bury my wife and give her a proper funeral. After expenses I still had 10,000 dollars left. That money saved my life and gave three children back the dad they deserve. No matter how you feel about me I will always cherish each and every one of you guys till the grave.

One week after the funeral I checked into a rehab that would not have been possible to me without the support given by you good people. God worked a miracle in my life through the hearts of the good people who post here. I had no insurance so had to pay cash for treatment.

It was hard. I almost didn't make it trying to cope with the death of my wife while trying to detox off of heroin and opioids at the same time but I did it. I lost everything while I was in treatment. The house, the car, literally everything I owned was taken from me. I was broken, homeless and my future didn't look all that good. I was sober for the first time in almost thirty years but at what cost.

No program for people in my situation was willing to take me after rehab anywhere in the state of Alabama and I was ready to say frick it and just end it but then a poster here reached out to me and threw me a life line. It just so happens that the state of Louisiana, specifically Baton Rouge has one of the largest recovery programs in the world. The poster set up living arrangements at a sober living house and bought me a bus ticket to get here.

So I found myself in Baton Rouge with literally the cloths on my back and a stick of deodorant. It wasn't easy starting from scratch in another state and without knowing anybody but every turn I made led me to spectacular people that gave me opportunity to work and learn to stay sober. I now live in Walker, Louisiana and I have a great job, an awesome support system and a bright future.

I owe my literal life to you fine people. Absolutely I appreciate every poster here from every state but I can't even put into words the love and appreciation I have for the people here in Louisiana. You guys took me in and made me feel at home. You fed me, you taught me a new way to live and supported me when all I had to my name was a desire to die. God bless Louisiana and all the fine people that represent it. The boot is my home now and I am forever grateful for it.

This post has been long and there is so much more I want to say but will leave it with this. Thank you to all of you here at tiger droppings and thank you to the fine residents of Louisiana from the bottom of my heart. There is no doubt that I would not be drawing breath without you.

By the way, I love you guys but y'all can't drive here. Omg you just can't drive. Oh and y'all are some crazy mother frickers too. The culture and people are definitely southern to the core but it's unique and very different than all the other southern states.

Thanks again guys.