About my Struggles with Drugs/Alcohol Depression and Suicide attempts. How I was able to get back my life with the prayers of my family and through Jesus Christ.
I wrote this book because I think I have a great story to tell and because I believe my life story may in some way help someone.
This is the truth and I say it with the most sincere conviction. My life story may relate to teens in high school who go though many problems in their relationships.
Such as; Dealing with teenage peer pressure, alcohol/drug addiction, violence, illness, faith, etc.
My personal experience of life on the street as a teenage and adult using drugs and alcohol. In Flint , Michigan before getting my life together and making something of myself.
The decisions and choices you make in your life today can, and will, forever change your tomorrows
Excerpt
Chapter 22
Right Place At the Right Time
Monday morning, Vanessa and I took our blood tests and applied for our marriage license.
We found out that we couldn’t get married until Wednesday evening around 4:00 p. m.
We were going to be married by a judge in his office and we needed two witnesses.
We had planned to have a small reception or a get-together, with just Vanessa’s family members to celebrate our marriage.
Her mother and sister were going to cook a small dinner. Frank was letting us use his apartment to have our celebration.
Lewis and Ralph were going to buy the drinks and bring their dates.
We had planned on just family being there, because we didn’t have much money to celebrate with, just barely enough money to get married.
I was in St. Petersburg for only a few days before I found a job.
Monday, after we had applied for our marriage license, I checked out the newspaper and Vanessa took me around to different businesses and companies in St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas.
It didn’t take me long to find out that the pay was far lower that what I was used to making up North in Flint.
I had a few interviews for jobs that same day.
At most of the places I applied for work, they took a look at my application and asked me why I would leave a job working for the auto industry to be a cement mason apprentice in the building trades.
I was asked why I would want to work for minimum wage.
I would say, “Sir, I need a job.”
Then a typical answer would be, “Mr. Reggie Pallor, we only pay $1.25 an hour. By looking at your application, I can see you are used to making more than minimum wage.
Are you a union scout or union recruiter? I also see that you belong to the UAW and the AFL CIO Unions.
We don’t need those kinds of trouble here. We don’t have any job openings.”
I realized that my background working for union companies was going to cause me some problems getting a job in Florida.
The next day I went downtown, walking in and out of businesses, asking for applications.
I was just about ready to catch the bus or hitchhike because I was really low on money.
I was thinking that more than likely I would have to try to hitchhike home.
I was passing by this large building and I noticed a sign on the window.
The building was The St. Petersburg Times, a newspaper that I recognized because I read the classifieds looking for work.
The sign said “Janitors Wanted.”
I walked into the large lobby and up to the reception desk. “Hello,” I said to the clerk behind the desk, but she didn’t look up at me.
“Hello,” I said again. She still didn’t look up.
I looked around for someone I could ask for help. Just as I started to walk away, she said, “Are you here for an application?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said.
“Here,” she said, “take this over there, fill it out, and bring it back to me.”
It was a short job application.
After I finished filling it out, I took it back to her, and she asked me to have a seat, saying that someone would be out to see me for an interview.
As soon as I sat down, I was getting pretty comfortable, when a gentleman with bad skin, who was in a nice two piece blue suit came out of this office, looked over at me, and motioned to come into his office.
“Hello,” he said, “you are Mr. Reggie Pallor?”
“Yes, sir,” I said.
“My name is Mr. Patrick Van,” he said, “I see you are from Flint, Michigan, Reggie.”
“Yes sir,” I said, “I was born and raised there.”
“Flint a nice town,” he said.
“Sir,” I said with a shocked voice, “you’ve been to Flint?”
“I have an aunt and uncle who live in Flint,” he said.
“I used to visit them in the summer when I was younger. I hated to leave after the summer was over.
I made a lot of friends in Flint.”
Then he sat back and looked off into space.
He had a funny looking grin on his face and said, “Tell me Reggie, after looking at your application, I was wondering why you are applying for this janitor job here at our company.”
“Sir,” I said, “I need a job.
I am getting married tomorrow and I have experience in janitor work.
I was trained in cleaning buildings like this while I was going to school, and I held a janitor job before going to work for General Motors.”
“Mr. Reggie Pallor,” he said, “I must say that I am pretty impressed with you.
We do have three positions open for janitors here in our building, but I am not going to offer you the job.”
I stared at him.
He leaned back in his chair and said, “Reggie, I don’t understand why you would come into this building and apply for the lowest paying job that we have to offer.”
He was quiet.
“Sir,” I said again, “I need a job.”
“Reggie,” he said, “when applying for employment, always find out what jobs are available before you apply for a job.
Forget about the janitor position here. You will never get it.
We pay a little above minimum wage.
I would like to offer you a training position here at The St. Petersburg Times.
We have only a few, and I believe that you can fill one of those spots.”
“I am sorry sir,” I said, “you are going to train me to be what?”
“No, Reggie,” he said, “I am not going to train you.
Let me explain: You will be trained to be a skilled trades reel man.”
“What’s that, sir?”
“They are the people the newspaper counts on to set the paper up to be printed on,” he said.
“The pay is good, plus we offer a great benefits packet.
We would like very much for you to join our team. You will start off as an apprentice reel man, and then work yourself up the ladder to become a journeyman.
With a skill like this, you can go anywhere in the country. What do you think, Reggie?”
“Yes, sir,” I said, “I want the job.
“Okay,” he said, “Since you are getting married tomorrow, Reggie, you can start Monday. Gail, my secretary, will give you all the information you need for work.
You also will have to take a physical.”
“Yes, sir,” I said. “I understand.”
“Good luck, Reggie,” he said and then he shook my hand.
Professional Reviews
Amazon Customer Reviews
"Battling the Blessings" is a real, heart-felt journey through one man's struggle with alcohol and drug addiction.
As Fulgham reminisces about his life, it's as though he's sitting on the front porch telling stories.
But the story is true and the details are gripping.
There are points where the reader is left to wonder whether he will make it out of his private hell alive.
This would be a great book for anyone going through a struggle with alcohol or drug addiction.
Too often, the addict is left thinking "why me?" When it's not just them, as Fulgham illustrates with character sketches drawn from his life.
Amazon Customer Reviews
Battling the Blessings is author Terry Fulgham's life story which spans over fifty years, reflecting on his childhood, the teen years, and into his adulthood.
Fulgham changed the names of the characters, including his own, to protect the innocent.
We meet Reggie Manchester-Pallor as a nine-year-old in 1956. Reggie lived in Flint, Michigan with his grandparents, who he lovingly referred to as "Big Mama" and "Papa Manchester." The Manchester house was a caring, respectful, and disciplined Christian home.
Growing up then was different than it is today; children only spoke to adults when they were spoken to.
If a kid stepped out of line, they were spanked. Reggie saw his share of spankings, or whippings, as he called them.
Reggie was very close to his grandparents and, as his father was not around; Papa Manchester was his only male influence.
The passing of Papa Manchester left a profound emptiness in 10-year-old Reggie's life, leaving him with a feeling of helplessness.
A few months after the loss of his grandfather, Reggie met Jesse "Pancake" Stoner.
Reggie was small for his age and a favourite target of bullies. Pancake was one of the biggest kids in school. With Pancake around, no one bothered Reggie.
Pancake and Reggie grew to be as close as brothers, and together were both respected and feared in their neighbourhood.
At age 13, Reggie, Pancake and their friends began drinking wine, smoking, and later, stealing cars.
Reggie was the only one of his friends to graduate from high school.
In the last few years of school, he held numerous jobs where he was known as a hard and dedicated worker.
This weekday life differed greatly from his weekends, as he continued to love the street life.
Drinking alcohol and cough syrup (for a codeine high), popping pills, fighting, stealing, and chasing girls filled his off work hours.
Big Mama doubted Reggie would see his 21st birthday if he didn't stop his street life.
The failure of his second marriage and the death of a close friend had Reggie drinking more than ever and deeper into drugs and his life of crime.
It took losing a fight to a younger man, being severely beaten, and his mother's desperate pleading for him to straighten out his life to get Reggie to take his sobriety seriously and pray, "Lord, stop me from drinking."
Much more than a story of addiction, Battling the Blessings is a snapshot of American history. Fulgham treats us with his memories of growing up in the 50's and 60's, using the slang and lingo of that time in his realistic dialogue.
He adds the music, clothes, hairstyles, and vehicles of the day and tells his riveting story with his own unique style to take us back to that turbulent time.
Battling the Blessings isn't simply a kid-gets-hooked-on-booze-and-drugs-and-turns-his-life-around story.
It is an unflinching and inspiring telling of a man's struggle with himself and his demons.
Fulgham doesn't make excuses for his actions; he takes full responsibility. Reggie isn't a bad guy--he is a smart, compassionate person who just made many bad choices.
I found myself cheering for him, hoping that he would one day leave the street life behind and make himself and his family proud.
This is Fulgham's first book.
However, he writes with the skill of a seasoned author.
He knows how to spin a story in a way that will affect and captivate his reader.
Often, I was laughing at his humour, shaking my head in shock, and misting up at a sad passage all in the same chapter.
I highly recommend this entertaining glimpse into a remarkable life.
by William Potter for Reader's Choice Literary Reviews
Amazon Customer Reviews
I revieved this book as a gift from a friend of mine.
It was like I was reading my life story. I was just like the author battling with the hand that I dealt with and was dealt to me.
I also lost my wife/family with the party life and after losing the most precious thing to me.
I can thank God that he has changed me and now I have a relationship not only with God but with my ex too.
After reading this book I felt that I was not alone in making bad decision and things can change for me too.
I recommand this book to anyone that is going through the same situation.
Good reading and great a writing concept easy to follow the life history.
Robert Burns' first daughter was Elizabeth. Her story and the five descendants Scottish lives are recorded here with the Bard's message today as ever in need. Al Quida listen: Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that. That Sense
Jack Kelly was a child performer, son of New York model, Nan Kelly, brother of actress, Nancy Kelly, brother-in-law of actor Edmond O'Brien and cinematographer Fred Jackman, Jr. On TV, from 1957 until 1962, he was James Garner's brother on the show,
Robert Burns' first daughter was Elizabeth. Her story and the five descendants Scottish lives are recorded here with the Bard's message today as ever in need. Al Quida listen: Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that. That Sense
