I am "not" a good letter writer...I just speak the way I feel it coming from the heart! I have given this many days of thought as I never in my life figured I would be in this position.

I am a 65 year young male who was put out of my profession in 2001 due to a stroke. Well the good Lord must have been watching over me because I "did" make it back to work for a year. And after that year , I was told to retire due to medical issues. Well the fixed income does not allow for much but I do get by. I also have family that has kept me from being on the streets but even they can only do so much.

I really need a hand up! We are now all in a position that we need to help one another. At 65 years of age I am the youngest (oops) of three! I have a sister 77 and a brother 79 and neither of them are in that great of health by any means. Brother has cancer and my sister is heavy and now diabetic. They live in the mid-west of the U.S. and I live in the Pacific Northwest....2200 miles away. I have so desperately tried to get "on top" so I could go see them. At our ages it could be the last time and I would love to see them once again before any of us go.

As I said I just speak the way I am feeling it! I have looked at taking a bus, taking a train, flying, driving and on my limited fixed income just cannot get it put together. I have even thought about hitch hiking but that is out due to the safety factor.

I have come before many people to humble myself and ask for a little help. A hand up! Donations above and beyond what I actually need are going to be put back to someone else. It's "I've been there...done that!" I really don't enjoy my position in life at this minute but I keep getting along, just keep trying and saying some prayers everyday. Things will work out sooner or later!

While sitting here doing my "beg" I was thinking about a television show from when I was young. "The Millionaire"! If I had 1 million in my briefcase I know I could go out and make "many" people happy and help them....and it would make me feel so good! Don't want them to know who I am...it doesn't matter. Not looking for thanks....just watching the smiles on the faces is thanks enough! That is a daydream that I think about often. Maybe I will make it and be able to do it before I get out of this world. It would make for my happiest day!

Now if we have some people who see in their hearts to give a hands up to an ole man, to help him get to see his brother and sister I would greatly appreciate it and I am sure you will be Blessed....and "I will" pay it foward to help someone else. I know I am not the only one with problems!

Thanks for reading! Please "donate" if you can! God Bless!