Written by Jeremy Wood
Just because you’ve had a bad start in life, doesn’t mean you can’t turn things around and have a much better, more fulfilling life.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)
Born and raised in Brantford, Ontario. I am a First Nations man, with my heritage coming from Six Nations on my Mother’s side. I come from a broken and abusive home, in an alcoholic environment. I had my own decade-long struggle during the 90’s with alcohol & drugs.
My childhood was mixed up. My parents had broken up when I was like 3 years old; my stepfather was mean, rude and very abusive. Anyways, at the age of 14, I had my first beer, I enjoyed it. From that point on, anytime I was offered a drink, I wouldn’t turn it down. The more often I drank, the more I would consume. This pattern would go on throughout the 90’s, into the year 2000.
In 1993, I experimented with acid. In 1994, I started smoking pot. By then, I was 18 and thought I was a rebel—I was already a high school drop-out.
Music always played a big part in my life. I grew up with the likes of Supertramp, Tom petty & The Heartbreakers, CCR, ELO, Queen, Bob Seger, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Rolling Stones, and many more. By 1994, The Beatles became my all-time favourite band. They just started speaking into my heart, things I was feeling. They were right when the world around wasn’t.
By the end of the 1990’s early 2000, I was hooked on opiates, plus booze and pot, and even took cocaine. By this point I stopped the hallucinogens. I hit my bottom by the Spring of 2000. I had lied and stolen from my employer, ended up on the streets, I had burnt a few bridges. I lost weight, wore the same clothes, stunk, etc… Finally, enough was enough, and on June 21, 2000, I stopped drinking, taking drugs, and ended up in Hamilton Men’s Detox. I’ve been sober ever since the age of 24.
After a 2 week stay at the detox, I would end up in Owen Sound, at a men’s recovery home called G&B House. I have since lived in Owen Sound. I stayed at the recovery home for 7 months. I would eventually go on to work there for 7 years afterward. Through AA, NA, and a sequence of powerful events, I would end up going to Church.
My dad was saved and planted seeds in me as a child. My mom sent me to Sunday School, so from there I did believe from a far. Suddenly, family members who were saved and devoted Christians, began reappearing in my life. I then took the Alpha course after helping out as a dishwasher in the program. Then in December 17, 2004, at my Grandparents tombstone, after I said “help me be closer to God & Jesus”, I would go on to accept the Lord in my heart, and was saved a few minutes later.
From that point on, I realized that He had been pursuing me the whole time, and had set me free of alcoholism. I would go on to help with Alpha, youth groups, ushering and children’s ministries over the years. God restored the relationship with my Dad and other family and friends.
My Mom died on November 26, 2016, to a fentanyl-laced cocaine hit. Ever since, the grieving hasn’t been easy, but I know The Lord is carrying me through it. Her loss inspired me to write my book called “Jeremy, Jesus And The Beatles”. It describes my full story, the heroes I met (Bret Hart, Mitch Marner, Roger Hodgson formerly of Supertramp). I’ve been on 100 Huntley Street and done several radio interviews as a result of the book. Her loss has made me want to share my story and faith to reach out to others before it’s too late.
You can add/follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. My book is available through me, Word Alive Press, Amazon, Kindle, iBook and e-book.
Thanks for reading, God Bless.
3rd review from Amazon. 5 out of 5 stars.
A real story about a real struggle
“This story is one that comes from great pain and at times tragedy. This book is a real page turner. The author is able to convey his emotions unlike most other authors. You are taken on a journey of emotion and heart ache, and through it you learn of the saving grace of music and Jesus.”
