Ruby
Others, StoriesContributed by: Union Gospel Mission
“My son Glenn and I have always had a good relationship, but when he was struggling with addiction, there were some very frustrating times. It’s hard to explain—it’s like the person you love becomes a monster. But I never gave up on Glenn! People would tell me, ‘Leave him alone, you’re doing too much to try to help.’ But if you have a loved one struggling too, don’t listen to that! You’ve got to hang in there. Maybe it won’t do any good, but maybe it will! It did for Glenn! He’s a changed person now. Glenn is very thoughtful, very caring. I am so proud of him.” — Love, Your Neighbour Ruby
Ruby knows first-hand how quickly addiction unravels the cords of family. Her sons grew up doing everything together—including partying, drinking, and experimenting with drugs when they became teens. Glenn’s addiction went downhill when his brother died of an overdose at 25, leaving Ruby heartbroken… Despite the pain, Ruby never lost hope for Glenn. Because of Ruby’s unconditional love, Glenn is now celebrating 10 years of sobriety and a relationship with his mom that has never been stronger.
Love, Your Neighbour 💌 is a space for you to share your story. With your voice, we can destigmatize the conversation, and learn to love our neighbours with the kind of compassion that changes lives. If poverty, homelessness, or addiction has personally touched your life, join the conversation by leaving an encouraging comment on the UGM Instagram page, or sharing your experience by tagging #LoveYourNeighbour.