It troubles me to even have to blog about this.

You might remember Amanda Clayton, who was resident of my hometown here, Lincoln Park, Michigan. She won a million dollars from the Michigan Lottery, and thought she could still collect food stamps. She paid over $5000 in benefits back to the state of Michigan.

It saddens me to actually have to write this; but Amanda Clayton has died of an apparent drug overdose. The story via the local paper here in town, The News-Herald:

Amanda Clayton, the woman who garnered national attention earlier this year when it was revealed that she was still accepting food stamp benefits after winning the lottery, was found dead today in Ecorse of an apparent drug overdose, police have confirmed.

According to police, she was using prescription medication at a friend’s house on Sunnyside Street. Her friend found her dead at about 9 a.m. when they heard her toddler daughter crying. The child was reportedly in the bed with her when she passed.

I am not going to sit here and pretend to know a damned thing about this woman at all. What I am going to say is this: now a little toddler girl is now going to live without her Mother for the rest of her natural-born life. This woman became, unfortunately, a ‘talking-point” for the right-wing blogosphere; which did include me. I will not sit here and pretend to know what this woman’s politics really were. All I truly knew, was that she collected benefits, after winning money from the state. I also only know that she said that she did not know, that she could not do that.

I also will not lie to you; I am bit upset at this news. Here is why: This blogging stuff has always been fun for me, but, in a strange kind of way — distant from my home and my town. I always thought it to be a kick to criticize the Government and those in it, from the comfort of my basement and bedroom. Because of this, the stuff I write about is always —- distant —- and not really connected to anything local or personal. However, when it is this close, and when it is in my own damned backyard — in this close, it is very different and quite frankly, a bit discomforting and disconcerting. I guess what I am trying to say is that I shutter of the thought that something that I might have written on this blog, in the name of politics could have possibly driven this woman to take her life. I am praying that this is not the case, that it was a freak accident.

This serves to me and I hope it serves to be a reminder to everyone; blogger owners, readers and commenters: that those we write about, make sport of; whether for political reasons or what have you —- are real, honest to godness, people. People that have emotions, hearts and souls. Whatever this young lady’s issues were, they were not so bad that she should have been deprived of the right to enjoy her life to the fullest. This also should remind us to use great caution when writing about other people. Because sometimes, words can cause hurt and sometimes, that hurt cannot be managed.

I pray that the God of peace, that passes all understanding will be with the family of Amanda Clayton. May she find that peace in the arms of the Lord God in heaven.

Written with a truly broken heart this Saturday evening…..

-Charles Patrick Adkins

Owner

Thouightsandrantings.com

Lincoln Park, Michigan

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Update (October 8, 2012) — The following comment was left by Rachel, who lives at the house that Amanda was found in:

I would first like to say Amanda Clayton was my best friend everyone thinks u knew her but if u knew the really Amanda u would all love her. Amanda was the most caring kind full person i ever knew. September the 29th was the worse day of my life i found my best friend dead in my bedroom And let me clear something up with all of u NO her daughter was not in the bed when i found her. I saw some of the comments u sick ppl said about my friend when she was already gone god have mercy on your soul when it’s your judgement day… All i know is we are all trying to get threw this tragic so please leave her family alone God rest my Amanda soul R.I.P Amanda Clayton i love u always Girl I’ll see u on the other side Baby when it’s my time love always ur Girl Rachel

I have no way to independently verify if that is actually someone that knows her or not. However, based upon the IP address of the sender of that comment, it is from this area. Again, this was a heartbreaking story and one that I wished I did not have to cover. God be with the family of this young lady and her friends.