“I have been painting since 1978 through thick and thin and all of my turmoil. I had everything against me while I was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. I never hurt anybody or maimed anybody, but I’ve still got scars. Mental and physical scars. I went to eight or nine treatment centers involuntarily because the judges sent me there. I did what I had to do to shut everybody up. I had care wrecks, fights, failure to appear and the most I did was 11 months in the federal jail, but that was cushy. I was the baby of the family. My brother made it and I didn’t. He is a pilot for American and an insurance adjuster and has a mansion in Orlando. He turned on me after my mama died. He kicked me out of the her house and I haven’t seen him since that day. I wrote him off. I had to do that to keep me. I have been clean for 20 years. Not one sip. Not one puff. The treatment centers didn’t help me get clean, it was Linda Pierce who saved me. When you are addicted your ears are clogged up and you do what you want to do. I had warrants on me and was hiding out. I had a few months spells of quitting and I would go back. There was a hurricane and I lied to the Red Cross shelter and said my house was blown away. They took me in and I was sleeping on a cot, but I was still using. Linda Pierce started coming to see me. The nicest woman in the world. We would eat meals together and walk and talk. She would buy me shoes and things I needed. The third week there, we were eating tacos and she asked me how long it has been since I have seen my probation officer. I teared up right there. She said I know who you are and what you are doing. She pulled out a badge and said I work for the District Attorney of Mobile and I know all about you. All I have to do is snap my fingers and they will come get you, but I am not going to do that. You have one chance. You are going to do as I say and follow my direction. No more drugs, you are going to church with me and you are going to fix this mess with your probation. I will be standing there with you the whole way through this. I unclogged my ears and listened to her. Linda Pierce is the reason I am alive and clean today. I did 9 months in the metro and she was with me all of the way. She stood by me in court. We are still in touch. She said helping me was just doing what God told her to.”

“Why did drinking and drugs start?”

“It was in the 70’s and dope, quaaludes, drinking and partying was in abundance. I quit when I was 36. I owed $30,000 in debts, fines and loans. I paid it all off in 6 years and wanted to salvage what was left of my life. I met Cheryl when she was at a flea market selling puppies. I told her everything and gave her the chance to run. I told her this is all I’ve got and the best I’ve got. That was ten years ago. She is my common law wife, we own a home, our vehicles are paid for and we raise Yorkies. I was so skinny on the drugs that I started going to Jason’s Gym and got into body building. He trained me for six months and I started competing and won first place almost every time. I am starting my own gym behind my house. I want to quit painting and become a trainer and help people take care of themselves.”