Hi! My name is Amarah. Kids are important to me, and they’re important to Jesus, too.

Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 (KJV), “Whatever you’ve done unto the least of these (kids), you’ve done it unto me.”

“Kids like me” are kids and adults of all ages whose parents are, or were, drug addicts, and alcoholics; kids who have suffered, or who are suffering, abuse and neglect on multiple levels; and kids who are victims of bullying.

Hey, kids like me! I had the privilege to ask questions of some mothers in Alamosa County Jail about their struggle with addiction. Today is the 8th story:

My name is Shannon. I was born in Colorado Springs. I had my mom and step-father when I was little. They smoked cigarettes but never really drank alcohol or used drugs. I was emotionally and physically abused. I had brothers, sisters, and grandparents when I was growing-up.

I really didn’t have a trusted adult to talk with, but I had a pet that was very important to me.

I attended church when I was little, and I believe in God.

I had trouble in school and dropped out in sixth grade, but got my GED, later. My teachers were not good with me. I was a very angry child. I’m not artistic but I loved writing stories. After my teacher complained about how long my stories were, I stopped writing. I played the violin, and basketball while in foster care.

I’m married, divorced, and have three children. My son was adopted by my cousin. My two girls live with my parents in Monte Vista.

My relationship with my girls is not very stable but we try. My son doesn’t know me. My mom and I take my girls to church. I taught them about Jesus.

I hurt my children emotionally, and I’m very sorry. I want very much to make things right with them. I need to develop self-worth, get stable, stay sober, and stay single. I pray I’ll be able to make things right with them.

I don’t drink alcohol, but I use drugs. My drug of choice is meth. I’ve used drugs since I was 9 years old - 26-years - because of city life. I had way too much time on my hands, and my parents were too busy. I do want to stop using drugs.

Because of drug use, I can’t for the life of me get stability - meaning, a roof over my head and stable income to afford it.

I pray my kids learned from my mistakes and never use drugs.

Even if I could, I would change nothing. I pray I can use everything I’ve gone through to help youth just like you - to teach how this life is a lie.

My advice for parents who are addicts…Never stop trying to change for the better. To give-up is to fail.

My advice for grandparents of “kids like me”…Thank you for having faith and stepping-up and don’t give-up hope in us, your children.

My advice for “kids like me”…My life has been a lie. Run from my type of life, and do the types of things you’re doing, Amarah.

My perfect life would be using my negative past to make a positive future by counseling people, talking to people, having a consistent income, to have a stable home of my own that I can afford without a man so my kids and family can be 100 percent part of my life, to be involved in church, and be a healthy part of my family.

I wouldn’t change my past. I pray I can help our future. I’m willing to help you anyway I can. Shannon.

Thank you, Shannon! And thank you for reading my column. Write to me at Amarah’s “Kids Like Me” P.O. Box 354, Alamosa, CO 81101. If you know a kid like me, or parent, who is an addict/alcoholic, please tell him/her about “Amarah’s Corner, Kids Like Me” in the Valley Courier. Tell them to contact me, or you can contact me on their behalf. If you know a kid like me, or parent, who doesn’t have a Bible, but wants one, please, contact me. I’ll make sure he/she gets a Bible, “…and all the earth may know there is a God…” (1 Samuel 17:46, KJV).

Amarah’s “Kids Like Me” offers non-denominational World Bible School (WBS) Bible Correspondence Courses (free/postage paid) in English/Spanish to kids like me (ages 8-12), their parents, and even if you’re not a kid like me! Teens/adults take the WBS Master Series Courses so if you would like the WBS Courses, send your name/age/address and I’ll get you started ASAP! I hope to hear from you soon!

My goal is to help kids like me, and I want to help their parents, too. Until next time, remember, Jesus Loves You, and JESUS IS LORD!