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/adults of all ages whose parents are/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 was privileged to ask questions of some mothers in Alamosa County Jail about their struggle with addiction. Today is Part One of the 6th story:

My name is Jessica, and I was born in Alamosa, Co. I had both of my parents until I was 3 years old. I have four-brothers and three-step sisters. My grandma, Angelina, and my grandpa, Gilbert, passed away when I was little, and my grandma, Stella Gallegos, passed away, March 4, 2009. My grandpa, Roger Gallegos, is still living.

My grandma was my only trusted-adult I could talk to but she passed away. When I was growing-up I went to church with my grandma all the time. And, yes, I do believe in God.

I owned a bunch of cats and dogs when I was growing-up and I even used to have a brown horse and it had a white one. My pets were very important to me. I love animals.

I wanted to be a cosmetologist and a teacher when I grew up.

My step-dad always drank alcohol so it makes it hard for me to quit cause I have that same problem and I don’t want to hurt my kids by being away. My parents didn’t use drugs, just alcohol.

At times I was emotionally abused, but I was not physically abused. I was sexually abused when I was little. My uncle would force me to touch him and other things.

I struggled in school, but switched to online school and got my diploma. My teachers were good with me but my fourth-grade teacher wasn’t. She’d give me F’s for no reason.

I had a few friends in school but sometimes they were mean so I’m not too sure how true they were as friends.

I played the piano and clarinet in school, and I was in track and cheerleading.

I am artistic, and I love to write poems. I’m very good at it.    

I am married and I have three children. My relationship with my oldest child was great but now her dad has custody. His name is Kevin; he doesn’t let me or my mom see her anymore. My brother and sister adopted my other two children. I haven’t seen my son since he was one-month old and my baby since she was born. I’d like help to re-connect with them.

If I could re-connect with my children I would teach them about Jesus. I never hurt them in any way. I love them and miss them. I am sorry I don’t have them with me. I want to make things right with them and be able to be a mother to them. I would make things right with them in a heartbeat.

I started drinking alcohol when I was 13-yrs old at my brother’s birthday party, and I never stopped. I have used drugs since I was 17-yrs old because I thought it would block-out the pain and loneliness from not having nothing or no-one. My drug of choice? Meth/heroin/weed. I only use drugs when I drink.

I really do want to stop drinking and using drugs.

Thank you, Jessica! I hope you’ll share some of your poems! (Part 2 will be in next week’s column). 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!