Huge thanks to everyone again....

I know I posted this similar post a while back but wanted to say thanks to everyone that called Backwaters and donated money on my behalf a few months ago. I know Billy (Redneck) set this up with John Meyers of Backwaters and I want to thank both of them for their help but also anyone and everyone that called in or dropped by and put money in my name. I went to Backwaters today, which I think is the 5th place that I have went to since October. All the rest of the days were spent either in the Hospital or inside my house trying to recover from the various problems I have had. John is a nice guy and was friends with my ex-father in law and he used to run Meyers and Meyers towing and service in my hometown of Winchester. We sat today and talked about fishing and adoption for a good half hour. My wife and I were so fortunate to adopt our son, Joshua, almost 4 years ago and John and his wife were going thru the same process but have not had the success that Krista and I had. I spent a good part of my money today and purchased what I think is an outstanding Shimano Compre 6'6" Medium with Fast Tip rod and Shimano Symetre spinning reel. I wanted to get one good outfit that would last a lifetime and every time I look at it I will remember all the support that you guys have shown me and my family. I also got a bunch of soft platics, crankbaits, line, jig heads, Lunker Sauce, Paca Trailers, hair jigs and other stuff. All this and there is still a good size balance on my account. I asked John again if there were any names or addresses left and he said everything was done annonomously(SP). I would love to shake each and every hand of anyone that donated on the account plus any person that said a prayer for me and my family, made a phone call to me, private messaged me or sent an email to me. I never knew that when I bought my first boat in 2003 and really started fishing that it would lead to so many friendships and acquaintences(sp). As I recover, my buddy Henson and I will be leaving tomorrow for my first 2 days on the water since the end of September/Early October. I have trips in the works to Dale the 3rd weekend of March to spend time with 4-5 members of the board, another wants to meet him at Ky Lake and fish in April, Another wants to fish in April at Ky Lake, Dave Stewart so graciously donated a guide trip for May 5th and I will take 3sons next winter on a FNF trip that I promised to him this past December but could not do for his generous gesture of giving me a G Loomis FNF rod and all I did was pick him up at Willow Grove last year and took him fishing one day. What kind of people do all of these gestures, guys donating their hard earned money to an account of a "stranger", guys donating $300 guide trips, giving a gift of a $300 rod, and all the support. I will tell you what kind of people, GOOD PEOPLE, Good hard working people that love to fish and that is what we all have in common. My buddy Cliff and I have been friends for the past 34 years or so of my life. Other than my family he is the only person that I know without a shadow of a doubt I can ask him for anything and he will bend over backwards to get it done. I always said that if you go to your grave and you have 1 TRUE friend then you did better than most and if you have more then you were blessed. I am building some very good relationships with people on this board that will stretch many years into the future. If I die this weekend, then I will have lived a full life and experienced what the absolute BEST LOVE from a Woman in my wife Krista (sorry fellas but all you married men got 2nd place and down for my wife is the BEST), experienced fatherhood both biological with my 2 daughters and non-biological with Joshua but I have never and will never see any difference in any of my 3 children for I would lay down my life for them and my wife in a heartbeat, experienced excellent times on the water and off with Cliff, caught my fair share and then some of "Them Ol Brownfish" (Thanks to John Davis for my first FNF guide trip and Steve Headrick for the past 4 years of being pretty good friends), seen some of the prettiest land this world can offer at Dale Hollow in the Summer, Fall and Winter, plus landed my fair share of Greenfish at KY and Barkley(Thanks to guy that I call a friend in Dave Stewart) Thanks to Peter and all that are responsible for this board for it is the only one that when I am on the computer that I go to everytime. I have been absent from this board over the past several months for known reasons and missed all the post and comments more than anyone will ever know. With my DVR recording just about every fishing show on every fish that swims and this board that is pretty much all I do on a daily basis in trying to recover. Thanks to every person that has helped me in the past and I know I could put another 20 specific names in this post and you know who you are that have emailed, private messaged or called me to show your support. I hope to meet and fish with as many of you as possible, I have a boat and an Explorer that will pull it anywhere I point it. I don't plan on going back to work until mid to late May and plan on doing a hell of a lot of fishing between now and then. Cumberland, Dale, Barren, Ky, Laurel, Guist Creek you name it and I am there. Not the best fisherman around but it will not be for lack of tackle and lack of effort. Thanks again to you all, my family and I appreciate it very much. My new rod and reel will be a reminder of all the support you have given and it will be with me forever. The jigs and trailers and other "consumables" will go away, but that rod and reel will not. Thanks to Peter and the others responsible for this site and I would HAPPILY pay an annual due to be a member of this site if money ever becomes a problem. Thanks to all. Elwood Lumpkins - Elnutsmalljaws - Smallaholic

Bets of luck to you on your deserved first outing Elwwod. Great to hear your up and hopefully ready. Just remember to let the rod do the work and don't bust anything on a hookset. Go get em'!!!

Elnut you have all these friend because you deserve them, you are a great guy who shares all his knowledge will do anythink for friend and family and have suffered so much. I think every on who helped out know how lucky we are to have our health. I thought you were making a mistake going fishing this early but I can feel your excitement. May you have the best fishing trip ever. I will be thinking of you this weekend.

Beep Beep

Elnut
I hope your trip is a success, & pray everything works out for you. As far as the statement "I would love to shake each and every hand of anyone that donated on the account plus any person that said a prayer for me and my family" I think you just did, enjoy your trip and have fun!!!