The Author's Corner: Runaway Train

Runaway train, it is a subject that affects many families. There are many ways to runaway. A topic that is hidden by the families who face the reality of it. Most runaways are kids who leave their parents because of many different situations. Then there are those who runaway through addictions.

I do not know that average of the kids that runaway from home. All I know is that I would say that it crosses almost everyone’s mind at least once. Most times it happens because of the treatment the child gets from their parents. They feel that they would be better off in the world on their own.

The hard part is that most of these kids do not know the dangers that are out in the world. The first stop is normally at a friend’s place, but all runaways will end up on the street. Face with not a regular meal or a roof to sleep under, they sometimes will return home. Most, however get caught up in the street life where they start doing drugs and then it is down hill. These kids learn how to live this way and are among the homeless population that are on the streets.

There is sadness along the way as some of the runaways end up as missing persons never to be found again. The parents of these kids go through their own hardships and they try to hide the fact. When they reach out for the police to help, they find out that it is difficult for the police because of the many missing persons cases. If the runaway does not want to be found, that is what happens.

To those who use drugs or drinking to runway from their problems, they become disconnected from their life as they have giving up. They are physically there but mentally they are not there. The fact is that to reach this point in life does not happen right away. It always starts slowly and builds over time. The signs are there as the addiction takes over the persons life. They runaway because of many different reasons and some will lose everything that they have and end up on the street.

The past events that happen in someone’s life is sometimes cause the abuse of drugs and other such addictions. Until these people are ready to face the problem in a different way there is no hope because no amount of love can help them.

For all runaways, no matter which type as there are many, it is that they do not know what to do to help themselves in the situation that they are in. It takes strength to face the realities of life and to move forward in a positive way.

Stay safe.