“Poor choices in friends led me to a life of drugs, alcohol and gang activity,” says Robert Bremner. “In 2005, after a night of clubbing, I drove impaired with my best friend, Kim, at my side. I don’t remember crashing the car. When I woke up in hospital days later, I learned that Kim died instantly at the scene.

“I come from a good, church-going family,” the 48-year-old continues. “I was baptized at a young age and was a cub in my father’s cub troop. My parents were hard-working and instilled good values in me. But, when I was just 10 years old, I started to steal. In my early teens I developed a love for money and by the age of 15, I was selling illegal drugs. I joined a gang and was heavily involved in criminal activity.”

Robert grew up in Spryfield, a small community just outside of Halifax. When his sister suggested he come to Calgary and stay with her and her boyfriend, the 16-year-old jumped at the chance.

But the living arrangements in Calgary didn’t work out. Robert found employment as a dishwasher in a local restaurant and got his own place. “It was one room, and a dive,” he recalls. Robert continued to steal and sell drugs. “I did anything for money.”

Then one day, Robert was arrested for theft and sent to the Calgary Remand Centre. This was the first in a series of jail terms he served for various criminal activities. After six months he was released and secured a job on the oil rigs. “I made more than $1,000 a week,” says Robert. “I thought I was a big shot. Then, after six weeks I was fired for stealing the company truck. I didn’t care. I had money now.”

After 10 years in Western Canada, Robert returned to Spryfield. “I was hoping life could be different for me but I continued experimenting with, and selling, street drugs, and my alcohol abuse had escalated to become part of my daily routine.

“When a friend suggested I join United Brotherhood of Carpenters, North America’s largest construction trade union, I felt I had nothing to lose. I was certified as a journeyman scaffolder and left for Fort McMurray, Alta., to make some big money.”

After a few weeks there, Robert met Kim and they quickly became best friends. It wasn’t long before they drove the 10-hour trip from Fort McMurray to Calgary to meet some of Kim’s friends.

“We went clubbing and I was drinking lots,” Robert recalls in a soft spoken voice. “It was late when we left the club. Intoxicated, I drove some of Kim’s friends’ home. After that I don’t remember anything. I have no memory of the horrible accident. When I woke up in hospital days later I learned I had a brain hemorrhage, crushed legs that would require several operations, a hole in my nasal cavity and broken ribs. I was told I was lucky to be alive. Then I was told that Kim died at the scene of the accident.

“I was devastated, ashamed and guilt ridden. How could I let myself get so out of control? How could I take another’s life? I immediately gave up drugs, alcohol and my life of crime. Then, I started to pray, desperate for forgiveness.”

Robert was charged with dangerous driving causing death and sent to a penitentiary in the Drumheller, Alta. While incarcerated a Salvation Army chaplain paid him a visit. “Captain Bram really cared about me, when I could barely stomach looking at myself. He prayed with me and became my friend. He assured me God forgives sinners like me. From my cell I asked God to come into my life.

“With His help I gave up my world of greed. I continue to lean on The Salvation Army for emotional and spiritual support because every day I must live with the fact that on January 29, 2005, my bad choices resulted in the loss of a young life.”

Robert lives in Spryfield and attends his local Salvation Army church. Beyond his full-time job he volunteers with The Salvation Army emergency disaster services. “My life has been full of terrible, destructive choices,” says Robert. “Now God is in control, not me.”