Sharla’s story:

“For as far back as I can remember, I’ve known a life of chaos and dysfunction. This has been the nature of the beast for me and most of my family. Both of my parents used and drank heavily together. Some of my earliest memories of them are the parties and the fights. The neglect and constant moving. My granny did her best to help them, but they were lost in their own hell together. After my dad died when I was 5, Granny knew she had to step in and take us out of that situation. Unfortunately, Tyler wasn’t any better for us. A series of unfortunate events continued to happen along the way and by the time I had my first “sip of escape”, I was one angry, stubborn, mad-at-the-world little girl. I was ready to deny God and myself happiness. The idea of an all-loving God seemed like a bunch of b.s. to me, so I decided to try it my way. I understood, or so I thought, what the problems were. I had plenty of those. Problems understanding why I was born into a dysfunctional and unstable world. Why my beautiful, yet wild, parents would choose to use over their own children? Why my Dad died? Why did I feel like I had to survive my childhood and protect myself from harsh family members, fights in my home, and bad men? Why was drinking and using so natural to some?

That became my main problem in the end. Having a 12 year drinking and using habit and not wanting to accept that. Especially when I became a mother, I couldn’t admit I had a problem until it was too late and CPS stepped in and took my son from the same unstable home I had known my whole life.

Thankfully, I found my solution. That loving, all-knowing, wonderful God who has truly changed me. I can now live sober and content knowing that I don’t have to live that life anymore and neither does my son. I came to The Salvation Army 7 months ago lost, hurt, and not sure if I could make it through the program. But it was here my miracle of life happened. I will never forget the people I’ve met along my amazing journey and the people that God has put in my life to share and grow with. God has been my solution all along and I am just in awe of His love and wonder. I will continue my road to recovery and share my faith and hope with others still struggling. I think I’ll consider The Salvation Army my first stable home. Today, I am full of light and full of God’s love.

- a special thanks to Trevesia and Cheryl. Thank you for not giving up on me. I am forever grateful to your beautiful souls!!!”- Sharla Buckalew

Compiled by Cheryl Andreason, Reconnect Case Manager