It has been a while since I’ve updated this blog. Over the years this blog has always been a mix of Internet Marketing, Poker, Personal, and just part of my life in general. This post is going to be mostly personal, which will also highlight why I love poker and the poker affiliate business. I am truly a very blessed guy because I have always had people guiding me in the right direction throughout my life. First it was my parents, then my friends, and now it is my wife and family. My wife says I’m one of the luckiest people she has ever met, because good things seem to just fall in my lap. But for me, I just think people tend to make their own luck by surrounding themselves with good people. Anyway, on with my post..

The last month has been a true test of my determination and motivation. For the last few years I have worked and worked trying to make a better life for my family. 2010 from a business perspective started out really nice and I’m on track to make more money than I ever dreamed of making. But for some reason I have just been so drained and tired lately. My health has been suffering and I just have been off balance so to speak. So I made the decision to change my schedule a bit and I’ve been working hard on keeping a more “normal” schedule. I’ve also started working out on a regular schedule and that has really helped. So, ya know you just have to keep your life in balance and that is something I have been struggling with.

My Buddy Shane

After a great time in Tunica a couple weekends ago where I final tabled two tournament and won one of them, and on the way home I found out some shocking news. My old buddy Shane Morton has a brain aneurysm. He is only 33 and had really been working on moving his life into a new direction. He married the love of his life Daphne and for the first time in years I knew he was truly finding happiness. Having known Shane since we were in grade school, I could tell by the sparkle in his eye when he spoke about his wife “Daphne” that he was truly happy and in love.

Ya know we all think there is time to do the things we want, and to say the things we want to say. But life has a funny way of showing us the error of our ways. I have not seen Shane in a couple years, but I always figured one day we would have time to catch up, and I would have a chance to tell him how one night he changed my life (I’ll post about that another time). Sadly I never got that chance, but it will provide me with a powerful lesson, one mistake which I hope I never make again.

My buddy Shane died on April 1st leaving us way too soon. We had his memorial yesterday and it was amazing seeing all the people that turned out. People who had not seen him in several years. Shane touched so many lives and was loved by everyone. He had faults just like we all do, but we was constantly working on making himself better. WE all can learn something from someone who faces test after test and keeps on pushing. Shane wasn’t a business man, wasn’t a guru, and was never a millionaire. What he was is a genuine person who made everyone around him feel important.

A wise man once said “Some people are rich, and some people are wealthy” – Shane was wealthy. Most important of all, Shane made people feel loved.

Although nothing can be said or done to take the pain away from his family, I felt the need to help and do what I could do. Shane and his wife have been going to college and working hard like most everyone does. With Shane gone I knew they would need some help and support. So I’ve been working with my friends in the Poker Industry to raise some funds to help them get through this difficult time. I have been amazed and impressed by the willingness of strangers to help strangers in times of need, and this has been no exception. Many people think that the world of poker or gaming is full of degenerates willing to gamble their lives away, once again those people have been proved wrong.

Several webmasters and affiliates have been auctioning off old websites and domains and donating a percentage of the sales to Shane’s family. A couple webmasters have just made outright donations. To help a friend is cool, to help strangers is something special. I want to thank all the special people who are helping me with this fund raising. You guys are a very special bunch of people and I will never forget your generosity!

Below is a list webmasters who have helped raise funds for Daphne and her children. She has not asked for anything and that is what makes giving so sweet.Please take a minute to visit these websites as there is a good mix of information, special bonuses, and all these sites are 100% trustworthy and being run by special people.

• Suited Spades.com – Owned by Matt Geer
• Poker Marketing Star – Kevin M
• Poker Affiliate Bible.com – Dealer Dan
• The Rakeback Mafia – Gary
• Real Money Gambling Online – Casino Kev
• Rake Reduction - The Crew
• Online Poker Bonus – The Bonus Crew
• Felt Poker Forum – Members of the coolest Poker Forum ever!

One final note; If you are reading this and want to make even a small donation, please contact me at Randy@randylayman.com

From the family of Shane Morton:

I want to thank Randy, Duranna and all the people who helped my family and to post a poem that my husband wrote before he died. He was a wonderful husband and father and we will miss him every single day, for as long as we live. Your kindness and genorosity is so appreciated and no words can express what you have given us.
Daphne, Colten and Tommy.

P.S. I thought this poem suitable, because of it’s title and the way you picked us back up when our walls crashed in.
Thank you.

King’s Men

Would you pick up all the pieces of me when the walls that close crash in?
Would you put me back together using all the kings’ men?
Would you lie as a friend and tell me all will be well… all is well.
We could always look back to way back when, the good ole days again.
Would you pick up the pieces and show me your smile
Will you come back and haunt me if only a while

Johnny Shane Morton