It has been a while since I shared with all of you here on the blog. Most of you know that Mr. Shabby had some addiction issues for years and went to a 12-month in-house Christian-based treatment center in Priceville, Al. I am grateful for those 12 months, they were a huge part of his recovery today. I am once again faced with this but this time it is my only sibling, my 7 years younger brother. He has struggled with addiction issues for 3/4 of his life but was like Mr. Shabby what they call a functioning addict. But, he also suffers from depression as well as anxiety. He and I grew up in a very dysfunctional home, that’s what they call it today. Our dad was a drinker but always worked. He was abusive at times in many ways. I was the oldest and I took the brunt of it for my brother and Mother. I guess you could say I was the stronger of the three of us, sad but true.
My brother would get so upset and hide from our dad when he was abusing our Mother, I would go stop him by any means I could, to get him away from my Mother. Why in the name of my heavenly Father I thought that was my job, I’ll never know. But, it molded me into the woman I am today, that’s a given. I am strong but, it is Christ Jesus that I draw my strength from. I turned to drugs in my early teen years and God quickly put a stop to that, another story, for a later time.
My youngest son called me last Friday to tell me my brother was in trouble, his addiction has caused him to hit ROCK bottom. My brother and I had been estranged for a couple of years because of this issue. I had come to a point in my life I was tired of taking care of addicts, and people in need all of the time. I had to STOP and get off. If you have ever been in my shoes and surrounded by these types of people you’ll understand. If you have not you’re blessed.
Last Saturday on my way home from the office I decided to stop by the home that once belonged to my parents, now my brother and just see what was going on. It was a bittersweet reunion, to say the least. I love my brother with all my heart, I just had to let go a couple of years back not for selfish reasons but for my own mental health. I had let him stay here with me, bailed him out, Mr. Shabby out, etc., etc., off and on for years, and like I said my days of helping, (enabling) were over. It was time for them to stay high or get sober their choice.
My brother and I had a long talk Saturday, he was not high, and he decided that it was time for him to get help, he was ready. So, in a week, my 2 sons and myself, my brother had no children, my children were like his own growing up. We are working together to get his home sold, one of my oldest son’s friends is an inverter and bought his home. My oldest always has taken on a huge part in helping my brother, his Uncle to get some legal things done before he leaves and will be his POA while he is away. My youngest has taken on selling all the things my brother will not need and getting the home cleaned out and storing what my brother also his Uncle will want to keep. While I get him detoxed and help to get him placed in a 12 to an 18-month in-house program that should take place by Thursday of next week, good Lord willing.
I tell you this when God wants things done He opens doors, and fast! In less than one week. My brother is sober, his home has sold, it’s being cleaned out, his car which was wrecked is in the shop being repaired for when he returns home, and a rebab awaits for his complete detox. He has to test clean to all drugs and alcohol before he can enter the facility.
So, if you have been wondering where I have been for the last 7 days it was lala land. It has been one thing after another, but, God has truly opened doors, and even some of our closest cousins have stepped in and offered help to me and my brother in any way they could and we thank them so much, too.
I ask you to please keep my brother and my immediate family in your prayers at this time. We need them that is for sure, we have a long way to go but, Praise The Lord, He is our ROCK!
Much Love,
Debbie