Anne Murray sang the song “A Little Good News” in 1983. Unfortunately, with reports of wars, diseases, poverty, it’s hard to imagine any front-page is good news anymore. Then I received the March 16 Kennebec Journal.

I saw the article (“Fresh Start”) about a man from my hometown whose life mirrors mine. The front page led with the story of Thomas Towle, who once weighed 800 pounds. I weighed more than 500.

Towle grew up with hiding hurt and anger by making fun of his own weight first. I did, and still do. He tried all the diets, only to find them expensive and not teaching good enough eating habits to go it on his own. Like him, when I stopped a diet, I also would gain back more than I lost. Then Towle had stomach bypass surgery. I had the same surgery in 1997, before surgeons started using scopes to accomplish what a long incision took then.

I know what Towle is going through with the excess skin and wanting it removed. I was fortunate that insurance covered two such removals, but unfortunate in that the surgeon did sloppy work. I have since gone through deaths of people close to me, divorce and depression and have gained back almost half of what I lost.

Towle has a long road ahead, and I’m glad to see he has a support system in place. He’s proof that good things can and will happen to good people, what a person can do if they commit, and lets others know the darkness an overweight person goes through with careless remarks and stares.

I want to thank Towle for allowing his journey to be shared, and I pray he receives the funding for the surgery. And I want to thank the Kennebec Journal for giving this story the front page. It’s more of what we need, a little good news today.

Randy T. Newcombe Sr.

Randolph