I grew up with a single mom and my three siblings. We weren’t rich, but thank God we never went hungry. My mom always told me, “Your siblings will be all you have left when I’m gone.” I was closest to my older brother when we were kids. We were stuck in the middle together.
My dad was in and out of our lives after the divorce. It was always a struggle to communicate with him. We changed our phone numbers a lot, and eventually we exchanged a number of letters. I’ve enjoyed looking back on them over the years.
In 2013, my dad died of a hot dose of heroin. A little over a year later, my older brother killed himself. We can only guess it was because he blamed himself for our dad’s addiction. He was the only one who knew about it. The next month, my Papa Tom (my dad’s dad) died of a heart attack.
We lost three generations in less than 15 months. Three statistics that cut me to my core: overdose, suicide, and heart attack.
I was the last person to talk to my brother. When I lost him, my whole world shattered. It still hurts to this day; I’m still growing around my grief. Even though I couldn’t see it then, I know God was working all things together for my good because I love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
In 2020, God called me out of my sin by name, and I gave my life to Christ. This road has not been easy, but His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).
After being baptized and meeting the man of my dreams, I can confidently say God has restored the years the locus ate away (Joel 2:25).
In 2026, as a newlywed and a new mom, I can say without a doubt, I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)!
God has used the tragedy in my life to bring me to triumph. I know sharing my story will give others strength. I encourage you to share yours. You never know how God will move through it or who Jesus will touch.
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