I know that feeling very well. I rented a U-Haul for a down and out family member and had a similar experience. Real nightmare.
Glad it worked out for you, and lesson learned.
That’s a scary story there Laz.
I wish you all the best in your journey away from drugs. :-)
It can happen to the nicest people... look what taking a few pills for a damaged back led to for Rush.
Long ago I made a rule to never loan something that I might need back. You can still help but avoid the risk.
I've been in recovery for 11 years now and have seen a lot of this happen. But there have been some true miracles, so don't fail to help another addict.
God's will, not mine.
Glad you got through that one, Laz. I keep my program friends at arm’s length. A sponsor once asked me to meet up with someone with $200 as a “huge favor” to him. On top of the booze he had gambling issues. He never brought it up again and seemed to harbor no ill will for my refusal.
Sorry you’ve had to go through this ordeal, but by sharing your experience, you have taught us all a valuable lesson. Thank you for the schooling.
I enjoy your posts, but loaning out a rental car car is insane!
You may be a brilliant web and code designer, but consult me before you make any other business decisions. I'm rather good at it.
It had nothing to do with co-signing. It had to do with character evaluation. And while “trusting no one” sounds nice on paper, it makes for a pretty shitty world. So, human beings take risks on their hearts. And learn.
Karma can be a real bitch. If you were a user, it’s pretty likely you stomped on some hearts - hard. I’d say, while shooting rubber bands at the slowly rotating ceiling fan, smoking a cigar and sipping scotch, that that’s probably your reflection point here. Who’d you hurt - and how badly?
You got scared - but you were given the inspiration of how to save your skinny butt, just in the nick of time. That’s Grace.
You can’t give up on people, because if you do, you’re giving up on yourself.
On the other hand, holding most of them in an electrified pen under 24 hour armed guard on a barge in the middle of the Atlantic isn’t such a bad idea, either.
Congratulations on going straight - and welcome back to the challenge of being human.
A lot of people in recovery from drugs and alcohol also need to go to Al-anon. That’s where I learned to detach from the qualifier but also be compassionate and supportive without enabling him or being taken in. Very important skills.
"Pick Enterprise. We'll pick you up."
"And, when we do, we'll throw your a** in jail."
"Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves." Matthew 10:16
I'll help you move, drive out to bring gas, but that is it.
Glad you came out ok. Kick that guys ass if the chance presents.
You have a good heart. But you need to ask more questions of those who ask high risk favors. No physical copy of a DL? $25 and a couple of keystrokes? How difficult is one’s life without a DL?
But we have all done this sort of thing. Maybe not up to the point nearly getting charged with grand theft auto...but certainly trusting the wrong person with a good bit more than we can afford to lose.
WOW.
I was such a good crazy maker. I brought chaos to the most stable people in my life. Amen on the recovered(ing) part. I can usually spot one quickly and steer very clear but occasionally there are more screwed up folks out there than we were.
Was this whole incident some kind of challenge, test or temptation? You cant go wrong turning to the Word. Keep your powder dry.
Give heartfelt thanks for His grace and blessings and praise Him always!
Thanks for sharing your story. For sure, lessons to be learned from this. I wish you continued success as you continue on life’s journey.
....and what is it with cars and you here lately? Didnt you have one stolen a few months back?
People in these programs work the system, I wouldn't trust a god-damned one one of them, you might help one or two who were worth helping the rest are future gutter trash, working the system.
My wife made the mistake of cosigning a loan for a "friend" at work, $2000,00 later it was paid off. A hard lesson to learn. nice guy's like you (who knew ;-D) learn the hard way .
Freegards, CTYankee.