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 whose parents are 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.

My friend, Jerry Moe, National Director of Children’s Programs at the Betty Ford Center, a part of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, says:

Children of addiction (kids like me):

• are deeply impacted by alcoholism/addiction/substance abuse
• are at high risk for a variety of problems including addiction, depression, and anxiety
• develop an inability to trust, express feelings, form close relationships, or value their own worth
• stop being children as they carry out adult worries, problems, and concerns
• are robbed of the joy, magic, wonder, and spontaneity of being kids

Children of addiction (kids like me) deserve

• the right to their own recovery and healing
• to be treated with dignity, respect, value and worth
• to be listened to and heard
• the opportunity to be kids

Moe, J. (1993). Discovery: Finding the Buried Treasure. Dallas: Imagin Works.

Hey kids like me! I’m sharing a letter today that I received from Scott T. whose father was an alcoholic (alcoholism is addiction/substance abuse):

Hi kids like me. I'm not a kid any more, but it sure affected my life a lot when I was a kid. Truthfully, it still affects me in multiple ways. When I was 12-years old, my mom and dad divorced and back in those days the girls went with the mom and the boys went with the dad. Actually, my life ended then. I quickly found out why my mother divorced my dad. He was a really mean drunk. He would get drunk and well it was quite unpleasant. He had this Louisville Slugger (baseball bat) and he used it on me for just about any little infraction. I didn't do well in school and was with him until I was 15-years, 7-months old; I emancipated myself by forging my mother’s name.

After that, I went to Job Corps for about 8-months and took cooking class. Then, I returned to Job Corps for 12-months and took carpentry class. When I graduated, I went into the Army, and the rest is history. I hated life. And, I hated him. But when I grew up a little bit I realized the alcoholic wasn't my father. I really never knew my father. All I ever knew was the demon that possessed him - alcohol. It taught me though. If you live by the bottle, you die by the bottle. And, his was an ugly death. He died young at the age of 50-years. I was 21-years old at that time and out of the Army by then, so I didn't really have a childhood. I grew up pretty fast and I learned at a very young age that life isn’t fair, or easy. Life can be heartbreaking. I learned that life takes work and discipline. Now, I have found solitude and peace, and I help when and where I can and when I am able. And, I’m learning to trust in the Lord and He’s gotten me this far and I know He will see me through thick and thin. I don’t need much. So, I do my best to keep my eyes and my mind on God.

Thank you for your courage sharing your story, Scott! And, thank you for reading my column. Write to me at Amarah’s Childrens Foundation “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 and tell them to contact me, or you can contact me on their behalf. And, if you know a kid like me, or parent, who does not have a Bible, but would like to have one, please, contact me and I will make sure he or she gets a Bible of their very own, “…and all the earth may know there is a God…” (1 Samuel 17:46, KJV).

“Kids Like Me” now offers non-denominational World Bible School (WBS) Bible Correspondence Courses (free/postage paid) in English/Spanish to kids like me (ages 8-12), and their parents, too! Even if you’re not a kid like me, or if you’re a teen or adult, who would like the WBS Bible Correspondence Courses, send your name, age, and address and I’ll get you started ASAP! I’m hoping 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!