One of our former residents recently sent this to her mother in response to an email congratulating her on her year in recovery. She was brave and generous enough to allow me to share it on our blog. We are so proud of her and honored to have had a role in her journey to recovery.
Mom,
It was such a wonderful surprise seeing your email, that I opened it up first. Your one that remembers important dates and milestone in your families lives. It means so much to me to read your words that are being spoken from your heart. It's hard for me to look back and realize that August 11th is a year into recovery from my eating disorder.
A year!! I'm so proud of myself. I never would have imagined I would have a second chance for a normal life.
I can't begin to thank,cherish,and love both you and L for the unconditional support you have given me. It's been one of the most hardest,challenging, and rewarding years of my life. My commitment towards recovery has been far from easy, but you both have been there when I needed to get through a moment,minute,hour,or day that threatened all the work I had put forth towards this new life of mine.
While saying goodbye to ED has been scary for me, slowly I've been able to see that saying goodbye means saying hello to life. It means breaking free from the eating disorders control and lied. It means loving myself just the way I am. To truly begin living in the present, while enjoying time with those who mean the world to me. It also means to feel the painful emotions, no matter how deep they are, and realize there will always be a light in the distance.
In leaving ED, I'm learning to live a life filled with all kinds of uncertainties and imperfections. I'm able to take pride in saying kinder rather than harsh words to myself. I am worthy of the self-care and forgiveness of letting go. I know that whatever doors that still may be closed in front of me I can get through them and experience a second chance to live the life that God meant for me.
I'll never forget all the friends,family,professionals and groups, who had a hand in my recovery this past year. I know that thank you doesn't seem adequate, but it comes from my heart and is sincere. My life has definitely changed for the best, and I continue to take one day and step at a time. I've got a long way to go, but I've also come a long way.
On that note, I'm wishing both myself and E a Happy 1 yr. Anniversary!!
Love, K
