And now I’m gonna tell you about Mike’s wife, Cat.

You talk about fun. She’s a NUT. She has frosted hair and an honest-to-God beauty mark. She’s high energy and all giggles and she’s the pickest eater I’ve ever met. She loves Rod Stewart. That’s where I learned to love him. I think you become an adult and end up listening to whatever kind of music you grew up with for the rest of your life. Nothing will ever beat Michael Jackson for me.

I digress. Cathy was always petting me and saying I was the daughter she never had. Of course, I ate up all attention like a mule in a corn crib, so that was just fine with me. She tells me that even now, every time I see her. I have never doubted Cathy’s love for me. And I hope she’s never doubted my love for her.

As I mentioned before, she had a son that I spent a lot of time with in my youth. While the adults were inside watching Cheers, we were out exploring the creek and fighting off Indians. We had a great time. But long before we became teenagers, we drifted apart. When you don’t go to the same school it’s hard to stay in touch. And this was long before the days of Facebook and MySpace and even email. Yes, I’m THAT old. All I could tell you with certainty is that he had brown hair. I can still hear his voice. Even at that age, it was kinda husky. I think it was due to his allergies, mainly. He wasn’t large, I would just say average. A few freckles, which have long since faded, no doubt. I bet he’s still cute.

Anyway. I was busy living my life and hadn’t seen Mikey, Cat, or Jason in many moons, and Aunt Bren was working out of town for many years and like everything else, out of sight, out of mind.

I don’t know what happened. I have never asked. But I imagine it’s the same sad story of so many people. 8-80, blind, crippled, or crazy= opiate addiction. I have no idea if this is true, it’s only what I believe. But Jason is gone. Not physically, he’s still drifting along out there somewhere and I would like to believe he could still be saved. It weighs heavy on Cathy’s mind, and you know how when God works on your heart it’s pretty much all you can think about. I can help a little, maybe. I’m up to two answered prayers already from these posts, which seems pretty swell. I’m a believer.

Lord, I come to you with a heavy heart tonight. I’ve spent most of the day thinking about my lost friends. There are several. But I want to pray especially for one, the boy I used to know. How does someone drift so far that they’re lost from you, lost from their momma, lost from the world? No matter how far gone you get, you can always go home. You always have a home in Jesus. And I bet you would always have a home at your momma’s if you at least try. I want to pray for Jason particularly tonight, that he find himself and make his way back lickety-split. His mother’s heart is broken, as I’m sure the rest of his family’s is too. It’s never too late, I know this. And he does too. If you could open his eyes, his mind, his heart. Clear his path and bring him home. He is capable of good work; I know his family. Whatever has a hold on him, I ask you to force him to release it, stand up, and straighten up. We only get one life, one chance to show the world what we can do. Please don’t let him waste this opportunity. Don’t let the sun set on another day without him coming back to You. Use him as a vessel, as you see fit, to spread his story to the rest who are caught up in their demons and estranged from their best life. Lord I thank you for being a merciful God. I ask also that you soothe Cathy’s heart and mind, I can only imagine her many sleepless nights and constant worry over what has become of him. If she harbors guilt that she could have done something differently raising him, let her know that this was a life of his making, he chose it selfishly for his own needs. I beseech you to turn him around and make him face his wrongs. And see that there is still forgiveness to be had. You only have to ask for it. John 3:16 tells us so: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Bring him home, Lord. Set the mind of his mother at ease. Let us all join to help him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I wouldn’t wish addiction on my worst enemy. Primarily because of the grief and disbelief their loved ones carry. It makes them another person entirely. They will hug you but be stealing you blind with their other hand for their next fix. AGAIN, LET ME STRESS, I DO NOT KNOW if this is what happened. I’m speculating and opiate addiction is so common here.

I had to give up wine today, which was no big deal. I had my one allotment of coke from the brain scrambler machine at Firehouse and all is well. Not much to talk about there. And I’m going to bed!!! These late nights have taken their toll on me.

Love from Appalachia,

Amy xoxo