Vanishing error messages from model

In my model, validation errors work properly. The problem comes when I try to add custom messages with self.errors.add. If I check with the debugger, the messages are in self.errors. A self.save runs with no problem. The problem comes when the controller takes over. It does a Model.find at the start of update and *POOF* all the messages are cleared. How can I display the messages and behave like the validation messages do ?? BTW, I'm running 2.3.9

Thanks Bob <bsm2th@gmail.com>

Why are you doing another find? You must already have the model instance that the errors are for in order to add the errors to it. If you fetch a new record then the errors do not apply to that record.

Colin