The Greatest Christmas Gift - A Second Chance
By Austin
Red Door E-Newsletter - November 2011
For most people, Christmas is a time filled with love and family. Growing up in my house, it was more often a battleground. Both my parents were alcoholics. Our Christmases always depended on how hung over Mom and Dad were — and how much turmoil the alcohol created throughout the day.
My parents' drinking and the chaos it caused deeply affected all of us kids, especially me and my sister Gail, who is three years older than I am. We've both spent our lives battling low self-esteem and feelings that nothing we ever did, good or bad, would ever really matter.
Gail coped with the pain through food and a lifelong series of wrong men. I chose alcohol, weed, and cocaine. Gail battled her weight and a decade of physical and emotional abuse from her last boyfriend. I've battled addictions and the guilt of losing my wife and four kids to my alcohol and drug abuse.
My wife and I have been separated for almost 10 years. But the worst year of my life was 2010, when I lost my job and I ended up homeless, living on the streets of New York, sleeping on trains or in Grand Central Station. And the longer I stayed out there, the more I drank.
The Path to Christmas Joy
I've experienced a lot of unhappy Christmases in my life, but Christmas 2010 was the lowest point of all. New York was buried in snow — and so was I. I was cold, hungry, broken, and tired, and I came to The Bowery Mission to eat. Listening to the sermon that evening, I heard God say, "Austin, come to Me, things will get better." And I've been here ever since. And He was right. Every day, my life has gotten better and better.
But my sister was still struggling. Her boyfriend had robbed her blind and ruined her credit, and she was unemployed. Then I learned that The Bowery Mission also helps women just like Gail. So she's joined me here, and now her life is completely changed, too. In fact, Gail and I are now closer than we've ever been. We're both on the right path now, and I know God has some great things in store for her.
This Christmas, I don't ask for much. God's already given me back my sister. And He's helped me see that my life isn't over. All I ask for now is that He show me what I can give back to Him.
For most people, Christmas is a time filled with love and family. Growing up in my house, it was more often a battleground. Both my parents were alcoholics. Our Christmases always depended on how hung over Mom and Dad were — and how much turmoil the alcohol created throughout the day.
My parents' drinking and the chaos it caused deeply affected all of us kids, especially me and my sister Gail, who is three years older than I am. We've both spent our lives battling low self-esteem and feelings that nothing we ever did, good or bad, would ever really matter.
Gail coped with the pain through food and a lifelong series of wrong men. I chose alcohol, weed, and cocaine. Gail battled her weight and a decade of physical and emotional abuse from her last boyfriend. I've battled addictions and the guilt of losing my wife and four kids to my alcohol and drug abuse.
My wife and I have been separated for almost 10 years. But the worst year of my life was 2010, when I lost my job and I ended up homeless, living on the streets of New York, sleeping on trains or in Grand Central Station. And the longer I stayed out there, the more I drank.
The Path to Christmas Joy
I've experienced a lot of unhappy Christmases in my life, but Christmas 2010 was the lowest point of all. New York was buried in snow — and so was I. I was cold, hungry, broken, and tired, and I came to The Bowery Mission to eat. Listening to the sermon that evening, I heard God say, "Austin, come to Me, things will get better." And I've been here ever since. And He was right. Every day, my life has gotten better and better.
But my sister was still struggling. Her boyfriend had robbed her blind and ruined her credit, and she was unemployed. Then I learned that The Bowery Mission also helps women just like Gail. So she's joined me here, and now her life is completely changed, too. In fact, Gail and I are now closer than we've ever been. We're both on the right path now, and I know God has some great things in store for her.
This Christmas, I don't ask for much. God's already given me back my sister. And He's helped me see that my life isn't over. All I ask for now is that He show me what I can give back to Him.
It’s because of you that we were able to take Austin in and set him on the road to a brand-new life. Thank you for supporting the Mission and for caring about people who are hurting, just like him.