I published a story the other day which got a lot of comments. The reason I wrote this story was because I wanted to get some advice.
Sometimes when people are in a bad situation they cannot focus clearly enough to find good resolutions. I thought it would be a good idea to get some feed back.
I want you to know that I had omitted facts because I didn't see why I should name names or dates because I wasnt looking for anyone to do anything about it on my behalf.
I got both ends of the stick. When I got blasted the other day, I went ahead and posted information pertaining to my situation that would prove that I was not lying. People either did not look at the images or didn't care to.
The reason why I deleted the article was because I got what I was asking for. When, at the end of my story I asked "Why wont any one help?" I was referring to the fact that I had called numerous places and spoke to numerous people and still had no answers. I wasnt asking anyone in the Gather community to personally help me.
Yes, I am poor. I am poor because of situations that I and my husband caused on our own and will get out of on our own. Just because I am not afraid to tell people I am poor does not mean that I want anyone to send me money....I'm not giving out my address no amount of money will be worth it if some stalker comes and kills my family who got my address of the internet (extreme,but it has happened).
Yesterday John A came in and started explaining things to me. Things that I did not understand. I had read the laws of Virginia but forgive me, I am not law literate (yet). I didnt understand them. John explained them to a tee for me and I cannot thank him enough for that. I now know that this guy probly will not hurt my kids but to be weary anyways. But had I published all the relevant information, this guy who could very well be on Gather too for all we know could have been meaninglessly attacked and I could have been in trouble if he had gotten harassed because of something I wrote.
I would like to thank everyone for their support and guidance and If you would take the time to read some of my other articles you would probly realize first that I am not a good writer and that I am just starting to write, which Wilhemine has been the only one to critic my writings, which have helped me. Second, that I am a decent person.
I have never written one negative thing about anyone here on gather. If I dont like what you wrote I wont rate it, and I wont comment.
3 people are gaining points from my article. I did (before it was taken down), Mike is (from where he blasts me) and now Stephanie is from her new article (sorry steph cant remember the name). So, I guess it did some of us some good.
Again, thanks alot to John and others who supported me. I appreciated all the comments (even negative) and with all the information I got I was able to make a few good decisions regarding my situation.
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Comments: 40
You seem to be handling this with dignity - good for you.
I just wanted to clarify that my article on "Obsessing About Gather People" was actually inspired by the anti-Johnny 5000 group. (I just know a few people will read what you wrote up there and assume I was cynically using your distress as a ratings ploy...not true.)
I'm glad John was able to help. I hope you find a home you truly enjoy and feel safe in.
Honestly, your article was written right after all of this happened so I assumed that it was in relation to my article because it has grabbed way more attention than it really needed. I didnt even add that many tags to it oddly enough. Anyways, hopefully Mike will email me sometime and we can maybe work this out. If not, there is nothing I can do about it.
To be honest, what concerned me most when reading the comment thread there was the hopelessness you felt when Stephanie was trying to hard to get you to believe there could be a way. She was so right, help can appear in many ways, if we believe a solution will come. It is just so hard, especially when our children are involved, to be hopeful and not feel trapped.
If you have time, click on my name and read my articles on "Getting the Message". They are examples of how our mindset can keep the good stuff out of our lives. I hope you find some help there.
I still do not understand Mike's readtion and do not agree with his actions.
I am very glad the laws of VA were epxlained to you. Laws are very difficult to understand.
Keep your head up. You're doing a great job.
And now, there is an article I have just written that touches upon this incident. I was actually going to write about this anyway, but since all this came up, I felt these were good examples to use for it. It's about a spiritual process to let go of judgments about people.
If you are curious...
(And apologies for the comment-hijacking, Bonnie.)
As far as being poor...money doesn't make the person. There is no shame in not having, we all do the best with what we have and most keep striving to keep our heads above water. You sound like a good and caring person and all will work out for you and your family.
Con artists prey on people's good will and so they attempt to come across as someone in dire need. Thus, people in dire need can come across looking like con artists to someone who is prone to look for such things. It's a delicate balance, trying to determine who is sincere and who is simply a skilled con.
Very good point. I myself have never been a victim of fraud. So, I didnt understand that aspect until now (again call me dumb) However, here is my whole thing. Mike challanged me to give him information. I have made several attempts to do so and he will not accept it, probably because he knows he is wrong. However, he has called me a liar and a fraud to the whole gather community while he didnt give me the opportunity to prove to him my story was true. He just ran right to the cops. That is also fine. If he feels that he needs to persue it, I just asked that he not do in my behalf and not to use my name for fear of retaliation. Remember, this guy is the manager of my trailer park and has all of our information! But, if the cops come knocking on my door I will provide all the information and documents and pictures and will ask them to send me a letter on their findings on the case and that I will publicly display. If you read his story carefully he offers 1000 dollars to me if I give him the information and then goes on to say if I take it, it is fraud and will have me locked up? I've said it before and I will say it again, I don't want his money or anyone elses. I would just like an apology from him. Even if he did call and did not use my name and finds out this is in fact a true story will he really admit that he was wrong?
Crazy it really is unfortunate! I wish I would have printed it out before I deleted it though
I thank Bonnie for giving us this opportunity to discuss several important topics.
He says I did call the cops and they were real. Well, how did he know who to call or where to send the police to? Because I sent him the information.
wishing you well Bonnie.
There is a site I learned of recently
http://www.modestneeds.org
Bonnie
I don't know you, but that is ok, we will become friends. I have shown up becouse you asked to join my friends list. I read the letter to gather people and while I dont know the problem, I can tell you are a person with your head on straight, and your writing ability is good and will inprove... esp if you allow yourself to use emotion to motivate the writing but write then edit befor you publish... I dont mean the writing itself except for errors that creep in in the midst of fast emotional writing.
Poor? well it is all relative, dont have any money to speak of and we rent and were behind and the house leeks air and mice like to visit etc... But when I look accros the room and see my wife and hear my children playing singing and esp my youngest autistic child talking when for years he couldn't say more then 3 wrods and when he sings I cry.... But all in all when I see this hear this I realise I am a rich man! While I would love a good infusion of cash, I would never trade the $ for the rish's I now have. Be poor, work hard and grow together as a family and be rich in love... God Bless and know you have a friend in Texas.
Matthew T
sorry about that.
MAtthew T
Matthew
I simply see a mother concerned for the safety of her kids .. I took it as you were asking for advice, not money.