A friend of mine wrote, I wish I wasn’t writing this. I wish I wasn’t qualified to speak about the heroin epidemic. I wish I wasn’t a member of a community no one really wants to be part of. But I am. I am the non-addict who knows all too well what it’s like to love a person who suffers from addiction. I know what it’s like to worry yourself sick, to cry yourself to sleep, to be confused, to be mentally and financially bankrupt, and to miss someone who is standing right in front of you. I know what it’s like to feel stigmatized, to be the parent-of-a-drug-addict, to have people think that my son is a loser, a waste, a junkie. I’m here to tell you he is not. He is my firstborn. My first love. My heart. My life. He is someone.
My reflection: I would have given my soul to spare my son from the pain of addiction, but I couldn’t. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Rich or poor, educated or not – it can take down any person. For every one addict, at least four others are caught in the trauma.
Today’s Promise to consider: As the mother of an addict, the unceasing pain can be unbearable. He suffers at the hand of addiction, and we, his family and all those who love him, also suffer. Today, I will stay close with compassion and love. I will pray. I will never give up hope. He is my son.
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Thank you for putting your pen to paper (well you know what I mean) today I am struggling but you wrote my feelings to a tee. I too will never give up on my son and need to focus on my love and compassion and that he is alive for today. ❤️
Marcia, I understand. It's one day at a time. I join you in faith and love. We won't give up. With love and respect, Libby
You are not alone. I too have shared this journey off and on for a decade. It is a heroic journey for each of us and tigether we are Stronger Thank you Libby for you ongoing conversation
Thanks, Maureen. It is a heroic journey - for our loved ones and for us. They must be the heroes of their journey. My love to you, Libby
Oh, this is so, so true!! Thank you for saying how I feel! It hurts so bad, but we love them so much!!
You're right, Pat. It hurts so bad, but we love them so much. I join you in prayer and love. Libby
as I read this I cried. To see your son slowly slip away is the most painful thing...like a very slow suicide. My heart aches for each mother out there who knows these feelings. I pray daily my son will stay the journey but know there are no guarantees. May our compassion light the way for others, may we also know that miracles happen every day as I have 23years clean and sober myself. God speed....
Kathy, You are 23 years clean. What a joy to read this. YOU are a miracle. God bless you. There are no guarantees and everyday is a choice. I stand with you in compassion and love. Libby
Exactly how I feel about my son. He is 1 week into a 6 month rehab program. I pray he gets sober and stays sober. I will never give up hope. He is such a good person who has made some really bad choices. He is my son and I will always love him no matter what.
Susie, Your son is one week into rehab. Congrats! I pray he stays the course. My son usually walked out as soon as he felt strong enough, but at the end he stayed for nine months and turned around his life. I join you in prayer for your son. Libby
Thank you, Libby, for your beautiful words. I have just joined your Thursday meditation and this is the first one I received. How ironic, as I have 4 young adult sons in recovery. I am thankful each day they are in recovery, but know their journey is a difficult one. They are sweet, caring, wonderful young men with a disease that chose them. Hope is my best friend these days and I pray each day for every parent of a child with addiction.
My dear Marie, You have four young adult sons in recovery. God bless you and them. I felt suffocated by one son with an addiction and I can't even image four. I join you in hope and love. Thanks for reaching out. Libby
Tomorrow is my son's 32nd birthday. 5th year that I have noaddresd to send a card to, let alone call or see him. He is homeless & I last had contact with him in early January. This reading really helps to know others out there can understand my pain & yet constant hope.
Dear Natalie, Yes, there are many of us, who understand and feel the pain of losing our children to addiction. I'm so sorry - the fifth year with no address or opportunity to see him, touch him or wish him a happy birthday. This breaks my heart. I'll stay close with love and prayer. Libby
Do you know me ? This all is in my heart I just don't know how to share it.
Our hearts know each other. We walk the same journey. My love to you, Libby
Loving them as they are, even in the throes of addiction is so challenging but what else is a mother to do but pray that underneath that child they once knew is still there. Loving ourselves through the fight is also a challenge that we can't ever give up.
Dear Donna, You're right that our children are under the drugs - they are there, fighting to get out of their prison. Yes, loving ourselves through it all is difficult, but we must take care of ourselves or we won't be there for our children. My love to you. We won't give up. Libby
Thank you for writing this. I know this all too well. My son lost his battle on June 2, 2016. I never gave up and loved him unconditionally. His story is not over and I will continue the fight in his honor. Dillon #forever22
My dearest Annette, You lost your precious child, and I'm so sorry. There is no greater pain. I join you in the fight in Dillion's honor. His story is not over. You might want to write your story. I found writing to be one way of contributing. My love to you. Libby