Craig Mac
BoM 4/10 7/11 12/14
Man how time flies! Hard to believe it has been 2 years now but I just want to once again let everyone here know how grateful I am for the brotherhood here at BOTL. For those that weren't here back then and are wondering what the hell I am talking about, I'll give a quick history lesson.
I had just gotten off work and walked over to my favorite watering hole. About two sips in to my beer I get a call from my neighbor telling me the house was on fire. At first I thought he was kidding, then he said it again and I could hear it in his voice that he wasn't kidding around. I rushed home to find half a dozen or so fire trucks surrounding my place and once I was able to get close I could see it was bad. Hours later I was able to go in and see that there was nothing left.
From the moment I mentioned in a text message that I was heading home to see what was going on I received a huge outpouring from friends, family and BOTL. I went to my parents house that night and barely got any sleep. I had a basic renters insurance policy but that took a few weeks to go through, during that time I saw a generosity among people like I never knew imaginable. Friends were coming by the house and work and dropping off bags of clothes, gift cards and envelopes of cash. A few days later I was able to get on BOTL and see all the private messages and auctions that so many selflessly put up for me. I am a pretty proud guy and always try to do for me and not put anyone out, I really struggled to accept any of this, but was told over and over again to take it and not worry about it. I broke down in tears a few times when I saw what was happening.
The material items have since been replaced and I have moved on without looking back at what I had, I do miss a few things like all the photographs I had, but I can't do anything but let them go. I think I realized that night standing there watching them fight the fire that it was time to start over.
I just want to express my deepest gratitude to all my friends and family and all the BOTL that without hesitation made the decision to help me out. I will never forget it and I am thankful every day for the bonds we have created here. Thank you!
I had just gotten off work and walked over to my favorite watering hole. About two sips in to my beer I get a call from my neighbor telling me the house was on fire. At first I thought he was kidding, then he said it again and I could hear it in his voice that he wasn't kidding around. I rushed home to find half a dozen or so fire trucks surrounding my place and once I was able to get close I could see it was bad. Hours later I was able to go in and see that there was nothing left.
From the moment I mentioned in a text message that I was heading home to see what was going on I received a huge outpouring from friends, family and BOTL. I went to my parents house that night and barely got any sleep. I had a basic renters insurance policy but that took a few weeks to go through, during that time I saw a generosity among people like I never knew imaginable. Friends were coming by the house and work and dropping off bags of clothes, gift cards and envelopes of cash. A few days later I was able to get on BOTL and see all the private messages and auctions that so many selflessly put up for me. I am a pretty proud guy and always try to do for me and not put anyone out, I really struggled to accept any of this, but was told over and over again to take it and not worry about it. I broke down in tears a few times when I saw what was happening.
The material items have since been replaced and I have moved on without looking back at what I had, I do miss a few things like all the photographs I had, but I can't do anything but let them go. I think I realized that night standing there watching them fight the fire that it was time to start over.
I just want to express my deepest gratitude to all my friends and family and all the BOTL that without hesitation made the decision to help me out. I will never forget it and I am thankful every day for the bonds we have created here. Thank you!
