Amarah's Corner: Grown-up ‘kid like me’, Delia, shares her story: Part 2

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.

Delia. Part 2

What I swore for years that I would never do - I ended up doing. Heroin destroyed my life growing up and there I was putting my kids through the same thing my mom put me through. I became a full-blown addict, and I hated myself for it. I knew the pain I endured as a child and how I felt my parents had let me down numerous times. I love my babies so much and I didn’t want them to feel the pain that I felt growing up, but in time that is exactly what happened. I let my kids down, especially my older children. I have five kids - three girls and two boys. They mean the world to me and although I may not be raising some of my children, they are forever in my heart. Each day I remind myself of how bad things were during my addiction and those thoughts give me the strength to stay sober. I got so fed up with the lifestyle and the people that came along with the hustle. I hated the person I became and I knew I was capable of a better life. I knew I was a good mother and that my babies deserved better. They are my ambition for a better life. And I have realized that now that I’m sober and can think straight.

Advice I would give to kids like me: although you have parents who are struggling with addiction, just know that deep down I’m sure they love you, and that they aren’t their true selves; they are taken over by the powerful, destructive battle of addiction. Pray for them and hope that one day they overcome the demons that have taken control of them. I would also encourage kids like me to learn from their parents’ mistakes and never do drugs for they will destroy your life and as you know, others around you are greatly affected by them.

To parents who have a child struggling with addiction: do not enable your child, and try and understand the mind of an addict. If that means taking Al-Anon classes or supporting them by going to Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) Meetings with them to get a better insight of how hard it is to overcome addiction and to be better educated about addiction - it will benefit you greatly. Never give up on them and consistently encourage them to want a better life.

Lastly, advice I would give to people who battle addiction: know you’re not alone, and never be afraid to ask for help. The hardest part is admitting you have a problem and realizing you don’t want that lifestyle. Know you are worth it to overcome the poison that’s bringing you down. There are a lot of resources to help if you really want sobriety and are ready to give up the addiction lifestyle. If you have children you’ve hurt along the way just know it’s never too late to turn your life around. If you weren’t able to raise your kids, know you can still be there for them when they’re older and keep that hope that when you are reconnected with your babies you can make them proud by overcoming addiction and being there for them from that point, forward. It’s never too late to want a better life and you can choose from this moment on that you’re not going to cause anymore destruction to yourself and hurt the ones you care about any longer. Change your crowd, change your number, rid yourself of whatever triggers you have, and never give up. I’m a firm believer that the Lord won’t give you anything you can’t handle. If you put all your faith in Him and strive to do what’s right, you will be blessed every day.

Thank you, Delia! 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 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).

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!