@klay-kirk Dear Mr. Kirk: Thank you for sharing part of your story with me. It is quite compelling. I am very proud of what you have been able to accomplish and you should feel quite good about yourself also!!!! It is a testament to several things: 1. Your desire to change your situation 2. The power of Kratom to help with an opiate addition 3. Forgiveness and healing of the human spirit The part of Ohio in which I reside is beset with an ever worsening opiate crisis. Beyond worrying about my own situation, which will be manageable, there will be many people in my surrounding neighborhoods who will be driven back to opiates from Kratom if scheduled. I think that would be a pretty logical and expected outcome. Well, in any case, I wanted to give you a few words of encouragement along the way. It sounds as if your journey has a difficult one; but by the grace of God and your own indomitable spirit, those days are a thing of the past. Glad to call you a brother. Steve

@the_professor absolutely Steve, glad to know you as well! It’s been a living hell for a long time but, by Gods grace, it’s behind me now! If there’s anything I can do to help plz let me know! Your situation is abhorrent and is an example of a government that doesn’t know what they’re dealing with and doesn’t care to learn! Strength and prayers your way!!

For some of us it's personal. We have a board member in Ohio, and I was in a State they tried to take out in 16 that was reversed and shut down. That experience brought me here.

@klay-kirk Mr. Kirk: I was thinking about you recently. How are you doing? Still staying the course. You are a good man. I am proud of who you are. Prof

@klay-kirk Like the Professor, I would also like to know how you are doing, Klay. I forgot to tell you something important about your own story that I connect to very personally  * This; "*It also helped me to be stable enough to save my marriage*" My PTSD manifested as debilitating anxiety & the severest form of insomnia. All of this caused a "darkness" that included an instability I have never experienced before. This darkness created a "me" that was terribly difficult for Mr. *(my husband)* to live with. It's not that he didn't love me or that he is/was not willing to fight to keep our marriage ... it's that my "darkness" drove me to become someone *entirely* different than the woman he married. I had become impossible to live with & the truth is, that is putting it mildly. So, not only has our precious Leaf saved me twice *(whole nother story)* it has saved my marriage to a very good man 

@will Hi Will: Thank you for the note. I am not quite sure what to do if they schedule, but I am a survivor. I will find another plan; the problem is that Kratom has been the only thing that has ameliorated so many of my mental and physical issues. I will keep my eye on the results come 3/4 (that is when I think OBOP is meeting). I haven't seen their agenda yet. Steve

@ska Hi ska: Under '9 yrs' I wrote a more complete story of my 'real story'. We share many things including an almost failed marriage due to debilitating anxiety. Why my wife stayed with me I will never know. As I mentioned, I was housebound and had to dig out of it through my own with no help because none was known at the time. It was rough, but I am a survivor as are you. I am obsessed that Ohio will schedule, but I will come out on the other side somehow. By the way, you asked in your other note if 'I got it'...the answer is 'I got it' and 'I GET YOU'.....keep on being you....because that is REALLY GOOD. Steve

@the_professor Thank You, Professor. After reading it I agree with you completely ... we have many similarities in our life stories. *Please to check your email, ok?* 

@ska Hi my friend: I added some text to the chat. Sorry about the verbosity, but just another similarity to share and wanted to make sure it was clear. Thanks for everything. Steve

@the_professor Please, no apologies, I thoroughly enjoy your words & do not even think of stopping, ok?

@ska I really like the tag line: 'In a Time of Universal Deceit Telling the Truth is a Revolutionary Act'. Great job. I have sent you an e-mail and a chat message with an answer to the riddle. I am hoping that you have the greatest of days, one filled with comfort and peace.

@the_professor Hey, Professor, I hope you are doing well & Thank You for your compliment on my tag line ... it struck a chord with me too. Please, let me know how you're doing or even a simple hi when you get the opportunity ... 

@klay-kirk How are you doing, Klay? I would love to hear from you 

Hello everyone, I hope that you are all doing well this morning!

@ska @Dijon-Evans Hi, ska. Thank you for your reply. About the tag line, I like people who deal in the truth. I used to work in a major multi-national corporation (Fortune 100 company) and my team would do data science work for upper management. I was told by my management not to deliver negative news to upper management. I used to have an expression that used to be my career-limiting tag-line...and it went something like this...'Negative truth is still truth'. Needless to say, I did not bend to the pressure of my own management, nor did I ever compromise the truth, at least to the extent that I could perceive or understand it. That is what I like about you and that is what I like about the tag line. SKA and DIJON: I do not get every thing right in what I say in my posts as most of the information is 'off the top of my head' and I am not as knowledgeable about Kratom as others are; so I try to correct my mistakes when I can. I made a mistake in a post I made somewhat earlier, attributing 'Do no harm' to Hippocrates, but that phrase was originally in Latin and of course could not have been said by Hippocrates. It became part of the physician's oath (called the Hippocratic oath) in the Middle Ages. Anyway, it is nice to hear from you and Dijon. You have been most kind to me as I have posted to this forum (I guess that is what you call this venue). I was away for a few days preparing myself for a day trip to Disney World. My wife wanted to go and I promised to take her. However, it took every ounce of my internal fortitude to get through it. There were so many people around coming into contact with me, touching me and the sort. I have spent the last couple of days recovering. I did take some Kratom, but not enough as per my strategy for March in Ohio. My daughter has to have surgery on March 1 and I have to cut my time short here in Florida. During the time here, I have immersed myself in personal study taking courses in advanced Data Science and Artificial Intelligence engine creation (I programmatically created on that worked pretty well!) as well as teaching myself how to play the guitar. It has been a wonderful time alone in healing from 2018. I have been tapering down my Kratom use in preparation for the worst possible outcome in Ohio. I am hoping and praying for the best and preparing for the worst (my lifestyle modus operandi). I have developed my personal strategy to survive and go on. Ska and Dijon: You are a beacon of solid love-light in an otherwise very dark world to me and no doubt to many others. You have a spirit of encouragement and comfort. Thank you for caring enough to include me in the discussions and embracing me for all my weirdness. Kratom has been a wonder leaf for me, but alas.... Steve

Professor Steve ( @the_professor) Congratulations! Kudos! Hooray! I'm so proud of you! Happy for you and your wife! Even though you were well AWARE, of how difficult it would be for you; you went anyway! You did it for your wife, and yourself! That's AWESOME! AND LOVING!!! I WISH, that James ( my "husband " would do the same, but he struggles so bad, and often- badly, 🙄, with his self esteem, weight, and giving in. Its gotten SOOOOOO CHALLENGING for me lately! Ever since kratom, since I am no longer bedridden, things are not well here! He's "not happy " yet he is,that I'm no longer dependent on him for every aspect of my life, and functions. I understand that it made him feel better about himself. That it made for a very easy "excuse " for him not to attend family functions or leaving the house... BUT, the fact remains that I WILL NOT PLAY SICK for anyone, EVER! TMI It's odd, ironic is more accurate; I used to hear him cry, and pray at night, as he thought I was sleeping, that I would get better.. feel better.. and now.. well I am not one to give into challenges- but it takes 2, for a relationship to work. Anyway, Happy Valentine's day 😁 I love your posts! I am the same way about TRUTH! Truth and conflict.. hmmmm Ska is so full of information! I learn so much from her. I hope that your daughter's surgery goes great! Be good to yourself, as it appears that you're doing. Music is great for the soul! ESPECIALLY when you're playing it! I love piano! Took lessons for 14 years as a kid, and Unfortunately out of rebellion towards my parents moving us in my Jr year of H.S., and my injury, I quit playing. It took awhile to pick it back up, as when in med school.. The last thing I had time for was piano. Through all of this, I wish that I still had the piano as, I found that just thinking through the notes, and listening too the tones, it's very energizing.. Satisfying and enjoyable. Learning, reading, drawing, working with my gems and minerals, or making my jewelry...anything with my hands is very very healthy for me! It gets me out of my own head, ironically. Be well! Your posts are very intriguing, food for thought! I'm not feeling AS worried about Ohio, or a couple of other States, as I was for a bit! Fyi

@dijon-evans @ska My dear Dr. Evans: (You took enough med school to be honored by the title by another Dr. ... but believe it or not, my main doctorate is in Theology) I am taking my wife out for Valentine's dinner (another major stressor ...everything else, unless it involves reading, learning solo or playing guitar..like a ringin' a bell). I was very excited and my heart was very uplifted by your post. You are very much like me and I believe I can include @ska in this too when I say that we three are major survivors. I am sorry to hear that you are in a codependency situation, but you are rectifying that. Jolly good on that for you. You are showing independence and I am very proud of that in YOU! I believe that you have read my story...it was kind of out there for public consumption....I was housebound (in my early 20's, due to a quite quaint cluster of mental issues...ah it was all in my head) and realized that it was absolutely ridiculous to drag my wife down with me....so, I vowed that I would fight my way out of the black whole of mental illness no matter what the personal discomfort because there are BIGGER THINGS IN LIFE THAN ME!!!!! That would be my desire for Mr. Dijon....he can do it....its tough....it is like trying to shed the event horizon of a deep, dark black hole....but you have to think beyond yourself. Listen, my friend, if you even need anything, just let me know. Just knowing someone cares and understands helps. I wish I had that in my deepest, darkest of times....but alas, I didn't. But it is nice to know that I can talk to you guys nowadays. However, the thing I want to avoid is being a burden on you because, while I say a lot, I don't ever want to make your burden heavier. Pray tell, why are you feeling better about Ohio. Is it just a brilliant woman's intuition, which I have come to respect over the years. One more thing, I covet (yes, I am using the right word....) your supportive note. You made my day. I have been in darkness the last couple of days. Your friend, Steve PS - I used to play piano too! :) But I have never made jewelry...I do also glassblowing....made a glass flower for my mother-in-law and my own mother, but it was the day after she passed away. Bad timing...the appointment to have the kiln was scheduled and my mother passed the day before. That was a bit tough. Thanks for the well-wishes for my daughter. She is a good woman.

@the_professor , you would never be a burden!! Ummm maybe you have seen some of my 2GB posts, as I refer to them. Lmao At least I have managed not to do that, in here🤞.. lol My mr. Dijon, 😏, was there for me, for 13 years! Most of which, was when I was bedridden and deathly ill. So the least I can do, is sit and help him. Yes! Yes we are the 3 MUSTateers

@ska Hello ska. I wanted to stop by and say hello to you. I was full of gibberish when talking with Dijon yesterday and am not sure I was fully coherent. I was kind of rattled by current activities, but light is beginning to shine a bit today now that I communicated with her and am sending a note to you :) Anyway, I did want to say hi. I saw your note yesterday, but was so fumbled in my verbiage, I wasn't sure you were clear I was trying to even say anything to you....sorry :( I just wanted to say that I hope all is well and that you are still shining light on people's days with those bright eyes and brilliant, comforting words of wisdom. I do not know where things go from here. I will be leaving the warm and generally comfortable, albeit a bit lonely (which I like), confines of Florida in a few days and headed 1,000 miles north away from the equator. As the song goes, 'ya picked a bad time to leave me Lucille'. (End of February is not a good time to head north in this part of country.) But, my daughter needs surgery and when she wants her dad, I am there NO MATTER WHAT. I don't care what people say about that, that is the kind of dad I am...the antithesis of how I was raised. Of course, going home brings a plethora of problems and issues, but I will endure. I liked Dijon's play on words in our exchange of notes yesterday .... we are MUST-ka-teers. She is pretty clever with words herself. There are some very intelligent people on this forum. I appreciate that and have come to be stimulate by the discussions with the people I have met. You know, K....she (Dijon) deeply respects you as do several people on this forum. You should feel really good about the impact this has allowed you to have on people's lives. I forgot (or maybe never knew) what profession in which you were engaged or are currently engaged, but you have really found your niche in helping people in the Kratom community. These people are hurting and need someone, not with sympathy or pity, but with empathy. Someone who says, yes brother or sister, I am not going to pity you, but I have tread your rock road and I can lend an empathetic (I feel your pain and am here to support) helping (verbal/written) hand. You have a good knack at that. Keep up the good work. It is a ministry of helps to fellow humanity. There is no higher calling. At the end of the day it is better to help other than to accumulate power, possessions, prestige or position (although others might disagree). I like the fact that you tend to circle amongst the threads asking people how they are, checking on people who haven't responded in a while. I started to do that, but felt that this niche was sufficiently covered by people far more effective and knowledgeable about the Kratom community than I. I will find out about the Ohio ruling on Kratom as I am nursing my daughter back to health from her surgery. I have several plans to manage my mental and physical health depending upon their ruling and the consequences of the new 'laws'. No matter what, I will find a way to cope. I understand AKA has a Webinar. I usually attend silently, but am going to skip this one. The subject might be moot if Ohio criminalizes it. One thing I will not do is go to prison. Take care of yourself. Write whenever you can, but only if you want. Bye, Steve

@klay-kirk Mr. Kirk: I am a bit of a worrier. I have not heard from you in some time. I miss your supportive and gracious messages. I hope that you are doing well. Please let me know how you are doing. Steve (the professor)

@the_professor I was spending time reading through this thread here, and you are quite fascinating. I said earlier today that the friendships made here is one of the many great benefits kratom gives us. So much from a leaf. Its amazing to be able to meet new people with great minds, holding conversations with people that have common feelings and goals and struggles. I've been here 3 years now and my life definitely has changed beyond measure. I hope all goes well for your daughter. You both will be in my thoughts.

@the_professor You are, as always, Professor, far too kind but please ... *never stop.* Your words are an inspiration for me to keep doing what I do &, to be honest, I truly believe you have no idea how much they mean to me  *Thank You ...*

@lois_gilpin Dear Ms. Gilpin: Thank you so very much for you kind and supportive post. I am very humbled at the use of the adjective 'fascinating' to describe me. Nonetheless, I respective very much you opinion and am very flattered. My daughter and I have been though many things together. On March 19, 2000 an airplane crashed into our house in Akron, Ohio and it burned completely to the ground. We lost everything we owned. You can Google it with that date and location and probably still read about it. The plane burst into flames about 14 feet from the bed in which she was sleeping. She escaped. She is a survivor too :) Thank you for your well wishes. I hope to exchange notes with you soon. Steve

@ska Hi ska....not too kind, just analyzing the situation, seeing your strengths being used in action and encouraging you to continue to use them. You have no idea how much your notes back to me mean to me! I will send a note then not hear anything for a couple of days and then I start to think I may have stated something incorrectly and maybe said something hurtful; which I never, ever want to do. So, I covet.....yes, right word, you little notes back. I mentioned to Ms. Gilpin about another little incident that came our way...on Sunday March 19, 2000 an airplane crashed into our house in Akron, Ohio and destroyed it. You know my name, you can Google that and the date and location and still read the articles about it and see the house in flames. We lost everything, but the most important thing...our lives. The pilot unfortunately did not survive:( Take care and you are always welcome for me telling you the truth about your tremendous capabilities as an administrator and thoughtful person to the folks on this forum. Peace to you....Steve

@the_professor I wasn't aware of the plane, crashing into your home. I thank God, or whichever higher power you may believe in, that I have been blessed by your "presence " in my life, all the more, now!