"Life is a long lost struggle, with nowhere to run, I stand not alone, for there are others, in the valley looking for the top, nowhere in sight, just plenty of rock. From the beginning I climb toward the top, inch-by-inch, step-by-step, one day at a time, each hour of the day, will I make it? Can I make it? How will I make it? I pray each hour of the day, the struggles are hard, battles are long, and will I ever make it to the top? Question not, for I am strong, in my heart I have a dream. No matter the struggles, no matter the pain, I will make it to the top, the peek is near, I see it now, and I only had to open my eyes. Help is there to see me through, with the helping hand of a worm-harted Friend. When I am hurting or feel alone, my pain is short, for in my heart I have a dream. I want my family to have the best, no poverty, no pain, no strife; life is risky, with many obstacles, turning accomplishments into rubble. If it is to be, it’s up to me, I alone can make it be, though not alone, with the help of others, for I can make it to the top, if only I except the helping hand of another, I will stand strong, push through the struggles. Why must I accept this life long struggle? Should I give up? Should I except defeat? NO, NO, NO. WHY? BECAUSE I HAVE A DREAM, DO YOU? “

I used to say that I don't need anyone to help me, I don't care about other peoples problems. I was a selfish young man, who only cared about himself. Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol were a big part of my life as a young man. The world was mine and no one was going to take it away from me. I was King of the hill and no one would ever knock me off. I don't think any of you (the readers) have ever felt this way. Have you? I was nineteen when I fell from a hillside, crashing down onto a cliff of the blue ridge mountains. Laying there with Broken bones, cracked ribs, and pride broken. I never thought that I would ever need anyone to help me, because I was the King of the hill.

For the first time in my life I realized that there is a need for others as the rescue department was hoisting me up to safety. Sex, Drugs, Alcohol, and being the King of the hill were not so important any longer. My life took a one hundred and eighty degree turn that day. I realized for the first time, my "thinkin is stinkin." I began to appreciate the helping hand of another. I am now forty seven years old looking back on that day that changed my life forever. I laid on that cliff for five hours without food or drink. I never yelled out for help or asked God to save me because I was going to die with dignity like a real man should.

I don't know how I was found, I just know that someone did and my life was spared that day. I began to change my thoughts on life itself. The helping hand of another is the greatest gift God ever gave us. Life is full of obstacles that make one think life is not worth living.I have come to the conclusion that I am a complete failure without God. I have taken the wrong path and lost many battles because I did not trust in Jesus. So I have decided to place my heart in the hand of Jesus and trust only in him. Reach out your hand and help someone in need.

One day I was out fishing with my new fly casting real that I had bought at Kmart. I went to a pond with my friend who was going to teach me how to become a professional fly casting fisherman. (Anyone who knows how to fly cast will understand what I am about to say.) Anyway I was told to whip that line above my head and whip it back and forth until the line reached out eight or ten feet in front of me. I whipped that line like I was a pro and everyone who walked passed me was laughing and saying wow you really know how to fly cast like a professional. Where did you learn how to fly cast like that? With chest poked out and head so large, I proudly pointed at my friend and said "my very good friend showed me and I learned this professional cast in one day."

I never caught a single fish that day but at least I was becoming a professional fly caster. I was so excited that I was getting so good at whipping that line above my head and getting it stuck in tree after tree. I didn't much like it when I got the hook stuck in my leg, or when the hook got stuck in my ear. I didn't understand why my friend sat thirty or forty feet away laughing so hard every time I cast  that line in the water. I was so proud that day and thanked my friend with a proud hart.

A few weeks latter I was watching a fly casting program on the television when I realized that my friend had pulled a prank on me and was having fun at my expense. When I confronted my friend he then told me with his belly jiggling up and down as he laughed so hard, that he had told the five people who complemented me on my fine professional casting, that he paid them five dollars to complement me. Now I know why all the people were surrounding the pond watching me cast with such proficiency. Happy giggles everyone must have had that day. 

I went out and bought a book on fly casting and watched many programs on fly casting, I am not a professional fly caster like I was led to believe that day. However, I at least know now that a soft stroke with the wrist makes the fly casting much easier. I have caught many fish from salmon down to perch with fly casting technique I learned from television and books I have read. I even learned to make my own fly's with the help of the internet and books. We all have our own battles to face each and every day of our lives. Some battles are sad and hard to swallow. Some days we don't even want to get out of bed. Some battles are funny, like my fly casting story.

I over came the battle with the cliff side by changing my thinking about life itself. I over came my battle with fly casting with the help of the internet, television, and books. no matter what the battle is there is and end to it. When one road ends, another road begins. God has been a large part of my life and he has seen me through many battles without a scratch. I love to be out in God's country hunting, fishing, and camping. As of late I am unable to go many places because I had to have surgery on my back and left ankle. I have continues pain from my lower back and legs. There are some days where I am unable to walk or even get out of bed without saver pain shooting down my legs.

I stated  that  life is risky, with many obstacles, turning accomplishments into rubble in my poem. Romans 8:28 states that all things work for the good to them that love God and are called according to his purpose. I don't know what God's plan is for me at this time, I do know that until God revels what it is he wants me to do for him. I am going to go to savor the moments I have on this earth and serve Jesus with all my hart until he calls me home to be with him. I love to go fishing for walleye and salmon or just go plan fishing. I have not been hunting or fishing for the last six years or so. I have learned to except the fact that I am going to have physical problems for the rest of my life. I also realize that my problems are not grate. There are others who will never see daylight again because they are blind, or confined to a wheel chair for the rest of there lives. I also know this battles can be won with the helping hand of another. Start with God's hand, the rest will fall into place. God Be with you. your friend in Christ Jesus, Mark Bratton.