Amarah's Corner: Dominic shares his story

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

Jesus said, “Take heed that you despise not (be mean to) one of these little ones; for I say to you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10, KJV).

“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.

Today is the 2nd male inmate life story:

Dominic

I’m an Alamosa native but I was born in Wheatland, Wyoming. I had two-sisters, grandparents and both parents when I was growing up. My mom did not use alcohol or drugs.

I had dogs, birds and fish when I was growing up. Fluffy, my dog, made me proud. He was like a wolf! I never played a musical instrument but I liked to sing Creedence Clearwater Revival at home! And, I wanted to be a Navy Seal on the front lines.

My school teachers were good with me and I had friends in school. I liked to do book reports and I played soccer in 3rd and 4th grade but playing sports was never really important to me. I ditched school. I went to school- drunk and high on coke [cocaine] and weed.

I believe in God, and I went to church when I was growing up. I like reading the Bible, religious books or self-help books.

I take my kids to church when I can and I teach them about Jesus and I sing to them and teach them, too.

I’m divorced and I have three daughters but me and my kids have a distant relationship now because we drifted apart after the divorce. I know I have hurt them physically and emotionally and I’m sorry for it. I want to make things right with them by stepping-up-to-the-plate and being present in their lives, sanely. And, I will do it.

I was emotionally and physically abused when I was growing up.

I have used alcohol and drugs for 26 years. I started drinking alcohol and using drugs because it was normal to me, and I don’t want to stop. What’s my drug of choice? All of them.

How has drinking and/or using drugs affected my life? I am a grateful addict.

Concerning the possibility of my children using drugs, I am concerned. I look at my kids and can’t believe I was that young, and using.

The only thing I would like to change in my life is give my kids their childhood back and make them feel loved.

My advice for parents who are addicts: Don’t give-up hope! Hope kept the Holocaust survivors alive.

My advice for grandparents of kids like me: The same. And, Never, Never give up Hope.

My advice for kids like me: Never, Never, Never give up Hope. And, dream Big!

If I woke-up tomorrow morning and everything in my life was like I want it to be, it would look like this: me and my kids and family helping the poor and hurt.

I started using drugs and alcohol at the age of 12 years, and I was also in gangs. By my senior year in high school, I straightened-up, met my wife and moved from home. I kept up using and from graduation to present, I’ve been in-and-out of jail, and had my three girls. And, as of today, my family gets better, one day at a time. Amen! ~Dominic.

Thank you for sharing your life-story and thank you for your honesty, Dominic.

Thank You, Sheriff Jackson and Corporal Sanchez!

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 or 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!