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 10th story:

My name is Christina. I was born in Alamosa, CO, and Alamosa is my home. I did not have both parents when I was little. I just had my mom. My dad used drugs, drank alcohol, and smoked cigarettes.

My mom was my one most trusted adult I could talk to about things in my life. My mom - she’s my everything.

I attended church when I was growing up, and I do believe in God. My mom is Mormon.

I was emotionally abused, and I was physically and sexually abused by a guy friend.

I have three brothers and four sisters. And I had my grandparents on my mom’s side of the family but they both passed away. On my dad’s side, I have only my grandma.

I never had a pet when I was a kid. I wanted to be a beautician when I grew up.

I had trouble in school, here and there, but other than that it was ok. Some of my school teachers were very good with me, but I had some mean teachers, too. My best friends in school were Natile and Ciara.

I didn’t play a musical instrument, but I was in cross country track, and I played basketball.

I was not artistic and I was never able to write poems or stories, but I always wanted to.

I’m not married, and I have two wonderful children. I wish my relationship with my children was stronger. When I started doing drugs, our relationship kinda started going sideways.

I’m not able to take my kids to church now but my mom does. And, I do teach my children about Jesus. We always sing, Oh, Jesus Loves Us!

I’ve hurt both of my children emotionally and I am very sorry for it. I regret it to the fullest. I do wanna make things right with them. I can do that by getting out of the place where I’m living, move from there, and never put them through the things I did before. I need to be there for both of my children. Will I make things right with them? Absolutely!

I don’t drink alcohol, but I use drugs. My drug of choice is meth and I’ve used it for about five years.

I started using drugs because my dad was never there for me. I got into a relationship with an older guy who was into the drugs. Then, I dropped out of school, and my life went left.

I want to stop using drugs! I need to do it for myself, and I need to do it for my babies.

How have drugs affected my life? I ended up in jail, and away from my family. I put my mom through so much. Now, I just want to turn back time and change all my mistakes.

I hope my children never use drugs. I wouldn’t know how to handle it. I would do anything just to change their lives around.

If I could change anything I would take all the liquor stores off of every corner and ban all drugs from the streets.

My advice for parents who are addicts…If you’re gonna do drugs, don’t drag your kids around through it. Put your kids in a safe place where they will be safe.

My advice for grandparents of “kids like me”…If you see your kids going down this road then you should take your grandkids and save them from this life!

My advice for “kids like me”…When a problem like this is going on with your parent(s) find help for yourself. There’s plenty of people who can help you and don’t wait til it gets worse. Maybe you can help your loved one, too.

If I woke up tomorrow and my life was perfect, it would be me at home with my kids, being a mother, getting them ready for school, making them breakfast, and taking them to do the mostes! My perfect life would be me holding my kids in my arms and letting them know that they got everything and anything they will ever need. I want to take them to get matching outfits. My perfect life would be me and my mom and grandma spending every holiday together, and all our family not missing any moment together. I’ll do anything to live a perfect life.

Let God bless you and all people in need of help, and/or, in need of love. One day things will get better!

Keep the Faith! Today is your day to shine, girly! Sincerely, Christina.

Thank you, Christina! 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!