“When my dad died, he was just 41. He left behind my mom and five kids. I was the oldest at 16. The youngest was 3. The toughest part was just trying to go on with life. “Mom was in such a state, figuring out … Continue readingDad’s death has lasting impact on children
(2 of 3) “I was an alcoholic for many years. I’m not blaming it on Pedro. He had to move around for his work as a pipefitter. We were away from each other a lot, until I started traveling with him. When I was in … Continue reading‘My number one gift to my family is my sobriety’
“The first time I started coming to this church, I just let a few little things get to me, and I fell right back into the old me. I was having a hard time reading the Bible. I didn’t really even know how to pray … Continue readingChurch helps on way to turning life around
“After all I’ve been through, I’m fortunate to be here alive today. I’ve had heart surgery. I’ve been shot multiple times. I’ve lost close friends. It got to the point where I didn’t care about life anymore. I was done. I turned to drugs, alcohol … Continue reading‘I should be gone, but I’m still here’
“I grew up with messed-up feet. They were real club-footed, like turned in. To help fix them, I had to wear these casts that went all the way up my legs. When I was 8, they cut them down to below my knees. I also … Continue readingAfter friend’s death, ‘I just let go of the wheel’
“Drugs, alcoholism, domestic violence — all of that was in our life growing up. “My dad was a salesman. He made a lot of money, but he spent it on alcohol and drugs. He beat my mom often. They ended up splitting up. “My mom … Continue readingHer childhood was ‘really, really hell’
“I was driving to Columbus, Texas. I was going up there to work. Back then I was drinking, and I ran my truck head on into a tree. It was at night, and I had gone to sleep. I’m pretty sure that drinking had a … Continue readingHe makes the most of second chance at life
“I was 20 when I got married. We were together for 10 years, and we had three children. Actually, I have four children, but my sister raised my youngest. I had my baby girl until she was 6. She’s been with my sister ever since. … Continue reading‘I have great kids; I guess I did something right’
“We got divorced in 1994, and it was like everything hit the fan. Instead of bucking up and doing the right things, I fell off. That’s when I really got into the alcohol, drugs and stuff. I struggled for years, and I went to rehab … Continue readingLife experiences help with homeless, marginalized
For years, Jennifer Bourgeois struggled with drugs and alcohol. Following rehab, she got a job helping homeless people get back on their feet. She called it one of the best times of her life. But after losing the position because of a lack of funding, … Continue reading‘Being able to help people again makes a big difference’