When I told Aram that he had to get into a long-term treatment program
he decided to leave home. He went to California on December 19, 1998.
Aram had sent us a letter from San Diego that had concerned me. I guess I
never really wanted to know how bad he was, or how sick. I replied to his
letter on Christmas Day 1998.

December 25, 1998

Dear Aram,
I just returned home from work and wanted to read what you wrote. I was concerned about you when I heard your voice because it seemed that you were or had been drinking. I am not going to lecture you because that doesn’t
work. I hate to see you in so much pain. I can’t take that pain away from you anymore. That is the reality of the situation. You are the only one who can. You will be able to move on with your life only when you are honest with
yourself. Honesty is the key. You can fool everyone, but you cannot fool yourself. I don’t know why some people have such an easy road in life and why others find life so hard. That is God’s master plan for us all. We are dealt a
hand and we play it the best we can. I know that you have demons that torment you. Through prayer, counseling, and understanding you will face these demons and destroy them.
You must ask God to come into your life. You have always
had a family that loved you and loves you very much. I
didn’t want you to go, but I couldn’t stand to see you stay
here and live the miserable life that you were living. Know
thyself. You have to face the past, and face the events in the
past before you can move on. You have to let it go to God.
Try and take some time to find yourself. Don’t put
yourself in situations that will tempt you. Aram, you are
almost 30 years old. Look to the future, love yourself, like
yourself. You are loved and worthwhile. I pray for you
every day. I tucked you in as a child with warm blankets. I
will tuck you in now with prayer. It is all I have to give you.
Think before you make decisions. I will always love you more than you know. Be careful.
Mom

That night Aram borrowed his friend’s car and went to one of the worst
places in San Diego for drugs. He was arrested in front of a drug house. That
was the first time he had been in jail.