I admire your willingness to help, even at the risk of a scam. It's more than lots of people would have done. I also admire your willingness to admit the complete truth. Basically I just admire the heck out of you.
I can't imagine everything you are feeling, but I want to remind you that you came at this with a pure heart and a desire to help. Never be ashamed of the fact that you care. People who genuinely care about others get hurt, but they also live full, rich lives. When you are ready (if you are ready), I'd suggest that this roller-coaster experience with "Patrick" would be a great topic for a book -- either memoir or fiction. It might be cathartic, too. Peace, friend.
This could have been so much worse. Honestly, I thought you'd gone down this rabbit hole as a lark. Now it feels like we failed you. Except Katherine of course. Every Fletch needs a Katherine. Although "Patrick's" story isn't true, the young man's real story is probably worse. You sensed something real, and likely weren't wrong. For many poor, young West Africans, these scams are their only means of survival, so they've been perfected over generations. The lesson isn't that you are without guile. We all know and love that about you. The lesson is that you are in fact the patron saint of lost causes. Proceed accordingly, but never become cynical. Leave that to the rest of us.
Gutted for you, and for all of us who became emotionally invested in Patrick’s ongoing saga. Regardless of the outcome, we shouldn’t regret caring for him in an often uncaring world.💔
My head is spinning, Fletch. I’m sure yours is spinning at a much faster pace. Sorry. To change the mood for a moment, let’s riff off yer last comment and listen to this A+ live version of “Back Pocket”:
💔
I admire your willingness to help, even at the risk of a scam. It's more than lots of people would have done. I also admire your willingness to admit the complete truth. Basically I just admire the heck out of you.
I can't imagine everything you are feeling, but I want to remind you that you came at this with a pure heart and a desire to help. Never be ashamed of the fact that you care. People who genuinely care about others get hurt, but they also live full, rich lives. When you are ready (if you are ready), I'd suggest that this roller-coaster experience with "Patrick" would be a great topic for a book -- either memoir or fiction. It might be cathartic, too. Peace, friend.
The groundwork is already laid, but I probably need to spend about a month not thinking about him before I dive back in.
This could have been so much worse. Honestly, I thought you'd gone down this rabbit hole as a lark. Now it feels like we failed you. Except Katherine of course. Every Fletch needs a Katherine. Although "Patrick's" story isn't true, the young man's real story is probably worse. You sensed something real, and likely weren't wrong. For many poor, young West Africans, these scams are their only means of survival, so they've been perfected over generations. The lesson isn't that you are without guile. We all know and love that about you. The lesson is that you are in fact the patron saint of lost causes. Proceed accordingly, but never become cynical. Leave that to the rest of us.
I vastly appreciate this.
Gutted for you, and for all of us who became emotionally invested in Patrick’s ongoing saga. Regardless of the outcome, we shouldn’t regret caring for him in an often uncaring world.💔
P.S. Can I preorder the book?
Hee hee. Erybody that chipped in gets a book. You get a book! And you get a book! And you get a book!
Congratulations on the heart of gold. Best not worn on sleeve?
Yes. Would prefer to keep in back pocket.
My head is spinning, Fletch. I’m sure yours is spinning at a much faster pace. Sorry. To change the mood for a moment, let’s riff off yer last comment and listen to this A+ live version of “Back Pocket”:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MOXZ2df92Ic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APXWtDzu9Ac
Kind of a C+ B- performance but I'm riffin here.