I remember in January of 1985, standing in line with over 200 men for an $8.00 an hour job, half what I made at the time, getting the job and not having $50.00 to grease the medical technician that was giving the pre-employment physical. I drove to Morgan City for a pre-employment physical prior to taking a crew boat for Comar Offshore out of Sabine, Tx and ran into the same problem; no money to secure a work permit. I left Houston for Myrtle Beach, SC with $80.00 and the clothes on my back in a 1968 International pickup with 600 thousand miles on it that would change six lanes of traffic when you hit the brakes. The bed was split down the middle, and the thing had been cut in half by a train then stitched back together behind the cab. Back in Houston was my new truck, 30 foot travel trailer, and a lot of pride. Didn’t need the pride anyway!
I am so glad you got back on your feet...and wish you the very best..