Kathy
Samaritan Women Testimony
Hello, my name is Kathy. I am the new Program Director at Samaritan Women.
I have been working in this field for the past nine years. For me this
seems impossible. I did not plan to be a counselor let alone the Program
Director at Samaritan Women.
For me,
life was out of control for a long time. I began using drugs/alcohol at the
age of twelve years old. I was not only introduced to drugs and alcohol
from my friends, but I also used with my family. I was surrounded by this
lifestyle in my environment. I believed this was normal, and I just didn’t
see a way out. I don’t feel I would have wanted out at that time in my
life.
I would
have never gone to a program or wanted treatment if it was not for my
children. I have gone to or have attended most programs in the Fresno area
since the 70’s. This seams like a long time; for me it took this long. I
did not choose to go to a program; I went to find a way to get my children
back. The truth of the matter was I was unable to become okay for me. I
just didn’t want to hurt my children, and I was doing this very thing. I
made promises to my children, and I could see the pain in their eyes when I
was allowed to see them. I just couldn’t take it. It would hurt so bad. I
could only describe it as if I were being cut by a knife in my heart.
I was
sent to many programs by parents, teachers, court and by CPS. It was the
CPS that really helped me. Funny some of my best friends are CPS workers.
Long before I was ready for treatment, people told me I should get help. I
recall being arrested many times by police officers and a certain officer
telling me he was rescuing me.
I know I
did not have faith. When I did finally become clean, it was because the
women who believed in me had faith. I was able to believe them and had
faith that these women could see something I could not see. I feel God puts
the right people in our lives…some to teach us, some to guide us and some to
believe in us. For me it was this belief that keeps me strong and for that
I am so very blessed.
It has
been a long time coming, but through all that I’ve been through, I was able
to regain my children, all six and a grandson now. I am able to support my
children, not just financially but to be there emotionally. I can honestly
say I have learned so much from them. It has not happened overnight. I have
gone to therapy and have had to face their questions and had to answer for
my lies and poor choices. It hurt and hurt more. My friends, sponsors and
mentors all said it takes time, and of course, I believed that because I did
not know.
Today my
house is not as noisy as it once was. Three of my children are adults and
they have their own places. I only have three children left at home. They
are all in their teen years. I thought things were hard before; that was
before I had teenagers. I know the most beautiful things are yet to come.
In this past year, I have truly accepted God in my life as my Savior. I
believe God has planned my life and He has saved the best for last.
1 John 5:
11-13, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and
this life is in His son. He who has the Son has life: he who does not have
the Son of God does not have life.”
Samaritan
Women
