wow..that is all I can say. As I sit drinking coffee this morning and pondering life, I have to admit..it is good to be alive. I don't quite know if I'll ever be capable of showing all my appreciation to so many of you. There have been people who have helped me out in so many ways. I have often thought about Karma, and the talk of it all. Sure, I always stop and help strangers, probably for the mere fact that i always tend to view things as, "what would I want if I was them". In a way, i guess I always help out for the pure self indulged fact that it makes me feel good..to help others..strangers...no strings attached..no expectation of a returned favor.
We all talk of and think of Karma..but how many of us have had the blessing of it walking into our lives..truly? I never did.
Until that day...a day which cast me into the darkest place in my life..to look into the depths of one's own soul and admit to one's self that you are truly scared. I was lost...feeling alone..and so, so scared. I know there are some of you that are reading this that know exactly what I am talking about. You have to live it to fully grasp its cold feel. It is unlike anything one can experience..and for those of us that have walked it, you pray others won't have to follow this path. But, you know there will be more...
As i sat in the middle of my unfamiliar forest, lost, hurt, and alone..I could see lights flickering in the distance..i could hear voices but could not find the strength to yell for help..and at times asked myself how anyone could even help if they found me. I couldn't move, but knew within my soul that I had to take the first steps to get help.
Then, the rescuers started to arrive..the posse came out, and did not stop searching until they found me. And when they did i was concerned if my credit card could afford the debts to which i will owe them for the rescue. Would they help once they found out that i didn't have the funds to repay them for their work?
I mumbled that concern.and what i found was a quiet response...we aren't on the clock Travis..these are your friends and loved one's volunteering their time for you. They are here because they have chosen to be. Karma called,and said you had a lot of credit on the books..god himself called and said he had more work for you..and asked his soldiers to go help find you. When your better, talk to god, and find out what his plans are for you.
Wow......how humbled a person can be so see the true power of love and compassion.
There are so many people within this site that have done soo very much for me..the Dr. Phil group has done so much for me when i wasn't able to.
So, as I sit here, drinking my coffee, looking at the clouds..feeling better every day...looking at the clouds..amazing....I have found the true meaning of inner peace...to just sit and admire the beauty of the cloud formations...anyways...reflecting on the past few months..I have come to understand that god is alive and well..and there are numerous folks who are genuine in this world of fast money and quick self gratification.
I am getting stronger and better each day. Each and every one of you will truly never understand the impact of your support in helping me achieve this goal.
Generosity is something we give to others to let them hold it when they need to, then pass it on to someone else when they need it. I can only show my true appreciation by handing it off to someone else., and i thank each one of you for giving me that ball when I was in need.
I hope to pay it forward for someone else.

Wow...made me cry a little. Thank you Travis. I'm glad to see your in good spirits man

Amen!

Travis your post are inspirational we are all here as a family and do our very best to support each other. Thank you for posting this and being a part of this board and our lives. We greatly appreciate you and your family for letting us be a part of your recovery.


Busta...

That was awesome. You should write your feelings and thoughts in a journal to reflect on years from now.

great job , you are strong and wise man , cant wait to meet you sometime and share some story's

.



You and your kids are a insperation to me . I just seen the doctor Phil Show last night , WOW . I can't put into words how it made me feel. I hope each day get's a tiny bit better everyday, you ROCK.

Amen Brother.

That is awesome Travis! God is alive, and he is GREAT!

well said... Left me speachless..

You have no idea how much your words are helping all of us here on GD.com!
I know I am not the only one who gets strength from your words. Keep the thoughts and words flowing. It is healing for so many of us!

<---- Speechless......

Stay strong my friend....

You and your family are an insperation to all of us.....

Good to hear you are enjoying your days more. Hope you get good news at the doc! We don't need to tell you to stay strong, you are there.

Travis we have never met but I have read many of your posts on GD.com from way back when. You are a wise and strong man and an inspiration to us all. One day I do hope to sit around a fire with you drink a beer and tell tales. You will get through this and get back to the things you love. Keep strong brother a positive attitude is a powerful tool.

awesome post

I second that!

Very well said. As I read it I kept getting shivers up my spine! are watching over you and your family.

You know there are a few times when words don't just seem to even begin to encompass how you feel about something, even as you search for the words, you feel they are too overused, their true meaning and your intent won't shine through.

Look up the definition of Grace and here is what you will find:
•(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence; "the conception of grace developed alongside the conception of sin"
•elegance and beauty of movement or expression; "a beautiful figure which she used in subtle movements of unparalleled grace"
•seemliness: a sense of propriety and consideration for others; "a place where the company of others must be accepted with good grace"
•a disposition to kindness and compassion; "the victor's grace in treating the vanquished"
•(Christian theology) the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God; "God's grace is manifested in the salvation of sinners"; "there but for the grace of God go I"

You and your family remind me of that word more than anything I have EVER encountered. We are graced by your words, wisdom and presence here on GD.com and I really mean that!

For those of you that have not met him yet, he is truly inspirational and his family is TOPS!

Great post. Glad you are doing better.

I feel this same way.. Hang in there

God is alive, and he is GREAT! Amen
you and your family are still on the prayer list
at our church ...GLAD YOU GUYS ARE DOING BETTER

I too look forward to sitting around a fire with many of you. I have always told my wife that strangers were just friends I hadn't met yet.hence why i always "social butterfly" as she calls it. Camping and being amongst friends are things I cherish..to the point I always get a little bummed when the weekend is over..I am sure some of you probably get the same way..it is soo fun being out with others. Just to cherish the moment while playing horse shoes is such a wonderful feeling. People are mostly good, and the goodness of others feeds my soul. I will get better, because of all the nourishment you all have provided me with. What is so very special is my kids have been able to see the love of friends and strangers at work. I have always told my kids that you must be the friend you want to have..to live their lives by writing their eulogy and then go out and live their lives so that what they want people to remember them by will be true.
You all have shown my kids what i have said..and that..is more powerful then any words i could ever coach them on.
I have used this site as a means to remind them about being nice, considerate, and thoughtful..and why i hate criminals soo much..that one of you could be someone they are being rude towards..and didn't know it..and would they be if they knew what you did for us?? of course not....
I can only hope my kids have been touched by the true power of compassion as i have..and they take it in their lives to help them form the adults they will become.
All of your efforts have had an impact on my family that I could never have shown them..only told them...
your thoughtfulness has changed the way my kids view the world, and the people in it...this lesson i will forever be grateful for..for my kids.
Good things come from bad experiences if we look for them..I won't meddle in being a victim of a bad thing..but a perosn who experienced a wonderful thing..and you ll provided that to me!!!! the thanks goes to you all....

I never looked that definition up.. My mother's name was Grace and that pretty much describes her... Thanks for posting that..

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Hey brother, let me tell you something, you are giving to us more than we are giving to you.

You really should consider writing an inspirational book about your life changing event. You definitely have a way with words that's keep people interested.

There is a reason this all happened. The challenge for most people is to figure out what that reason is. It's clear to me that you are well on your way to realizing "WHY"

JD..you drinking already...ha-ha..that a pic of a girls chee-chees..computer nerd geek style porn? WT?????

I agree!! You are truely an inspiration. I am so glad to be part of the same family. My thoughts are with you and your family, always.

I am not good with words and as I read all of these posts I was thinking I will just High light 1 of them and put the X2 next to it. But I cant. Having not met you but knowing that someday I will and that stranger that you have said will be a friend.
Your story and words have touched sooooo many.
BTW: My wife calls me a social butterfly also and that my bodies energy feeds off of others energy.

I am so glad to hear this horrid event has not become your Tombstone, but rather a Stepping stone to a higher level of Personal growth, Love, and Wisdom.

Please continue to share, as you can touch many with yore words in ways we may never know.