It was eight at night....

Truth is, back then I was not any type of angel. I went from a production manager to a man that had to work any shift I could to feed my kids. That fail was my fault in more than one way. However, I wasn’t going to lose. I had already lost enough. I had already become a monster. Back then, I used to call us the walking dead.  Regardless of my other shortcomings, I do know that I fought my ass off for the kids I had under my roof. My other children were with their mom (my aunt). There were falling farther away daily.

I was running to the area and town known as Angola. Really, I had nowhere else to go. Well, I could have run to Kentucky, but that was pretty far from where I was coming from in Michigan. At first, I went to a close town, Fremont. However, the welcome wagon only came from one man and his family. To this day, I still respect and love that family. They were not her family or mine, but they cared. No one really wanted us, but to an extent, how could you blame them. My family had let me go and gave me to my aunt as I begged not to go. My coach tried to save me. All she had to do was drop me off and walk away. The number 10 would have been a household jersey number. Instead, I am remembered as a what if. This thought is for ones that I walked away from, or you walked away because I was a mess. It is also for the ones that chose to believe one side of the story. Well I used to have a saying you guys might remember, if you are going to kill something you better kill it. Hello everyone, I’m alive and healthy now.

Guess what happened? I found this town called Angola. Guess what else happened? I came here and tried to act like a fool. They caught me. They caught us. I was shocked, to be honest. I was very good at what ever I was up too. It was a Monday, it was just me and my four sons. I was fighting for my life and their lives, I was heading to court hearing over drugs. After, it played out the judge looked at me and said, “Marc is this what you want with your life? Is this what you want for your sons? I know you are better than this. Why are you doing this to yourself? What is your plan, Marc?” 

I answered, “I want to go home today and do what you ask me to do. I hope to coach football on the fields if they let me. I need to fix myself. Hopefully, I will bring some Santa Monica style football to Angola. I am going to become a better man and let my sons grow. That is all, sir”. Hey, guess what? I walked out of the courthouse. 

Leaving the courthouse, I walked out into the center of the town that is called the mound. I had no idea what was being put in motion that day by the ancestors and our father, God. This brings me back to my point, this town is what has rebuilt me. All I want is peace and to try to express myself to help not only me but others too. I hope my journey can help those that feel there is no way out and no one ever cared about them. Or those that have been just plain used. Maybe to even help a person living as a monster but know they are better just stuck in transition. The transition is the hardest part yet in the end  it is the most rewarding.

Now because of many souls I have met in this town, I have been able to slowly put myself back together. Each step wasn’t always great, as I tend to make these a little harder than needed. We like to say the marketplace is our worst enemy. Yet, the kids in this town started the transition after an opportunity was given in blind faith. I want to show the world, God is more than among the souls in this town. 

What we found in the history of this town is really cool and feels great to know. However, it is not the point. Angola is a magical town with souls that helped me raise my sons. They showed us how to grow, how to trust, how to care and to feel compassion. They really only want the best for everyone. I once wrote people only wear deodorant to hide the fact they are rotting as they walk. However, today I don’t have the same view point as the souls here in Angola are nothing short of amazing. Blessed be and God bless. Peace.

"Stay blessed, stay true to yourself, and always remember, you’re never alone on this incredible journey. Wishing you an abundance of peace, love, and an overflow of good vibes until our paths cross again. Thanks for being a part of this adventure with me. Until next time, Deuces!"