My Baby-Girl Day 188

Even-though she is well into her 30`s, a wife, and mother of 3 teenagers, in my heart she will always be my baby-girl. My niece Kim and I have always shared a special bond of love and friendship. As a young brown-eyed beautiful toddler we developed a relationship that has continued to grow through out the years. Kim is that daughter that I never had! I thank you, God for Kim!

Even the 600 or so miles that separated us over the years hasn`t broken this amazing bond. When Kim was very young my brother, Ernie and his family packed up and moved to Lexington Ky. Whenever they returned home to Maryland for family visits, to eat crabs, scrapple and Tasty-Kakes, Kim always wanted to stay with Aunt Lin!

Of course, I shared the same enthusiasm, over the years it was somewhat of an adjustment recognizing Kim as she grew and acquired the most adorable southern accent, Y`all.

Just as I have shared about my own life, the chains of addiction where not escaped by Kim. Yes, she was a wonderful wife and mother but deep inside, that`s another story. She strives to be that perfect little girls that I knew and loved. However, until we release the pain and suffering that we`ve stashed deep inside there`s no escaping the bonds of addiction. It`s the perfect place to hide, or so we think.

For generations the bondage of addiction has thrived and grown deeper roots within our family tree. To maintain that picture perfect life Kim turned to prescription drugs to supply her constant demand as the perfect wife, mother, daughter and special niece.

Just as I did with my addiction to alcohol, Kim and I shared and hid our addictions from the world, maintaining what appeared to be the perfect life. That`s just the reality of addiction. It isn`t until we take an honest look at our lives that we can begin the healing and recovery process.

Before reaching this honest look at her life, Kim`s addictions to prescription drugs for years took contol over all things in her life. I was 600 miles away, but I recognized that I was losing my baby-girl. Been there done that!

Three years ago we spent Thanksgiving in Kentucky with Kim and her family. I knew she was struggling but I just couldn`t get through to her. I had walked this walk, but even in my own recovery there was nothing I could do to help her. I began to pray constantly for her and her family.

Of course, with our long distance relationship, she continued to assure me that she was o.k. Maybe it`s that motherly instinct that allowed me to hear through her lies. I prayed and prayed and continued to ask everyone that I knew to lift her up in prayer; hoping to find the perfect prayer warrior to make that Godly connection for Kim.

Kim entered several rehab programs failing to make the necessary connection to allow her recovery to begin, she continue using. The pain and drama of this life-style drained the life from our entire family. I continued to pray, praying that God would place the right person that would finally break though satan`s hold on her life. I feared the I would visit Kentucky to see Kim`s lifeless body in a coffin.

I never stopped praying, finally I surrendered my baby-girl to God, knowing the He was the only one to help her. I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and I prayed.............

By the Grace of God Kim is alive and well, she has recently successfully completed a one year live-in recovery program at The Hope Center, in Lexington, just miles away from her home and family. She called me yesterday to let me know that she is now a paid staff member of The Hope Center.

There`s still lots of work to be done in her marriage and family life but know there is HOPE, Thank you GOD.

YOU CAN`T KEEP IT IF YOUR DON`T GIVE IT AWAY! Now there are 2,strength in number, I pray that this branch of healing with continue to take root in our entire family tree.

Matthew 8:16-17 When evening came, many who where demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah; "He took up our infirmities and carried our disease.

THANK YOU GOD, THANK YOU GOD, AMEN!