Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Six Years And A Freebie

Edited: Commenter Katie Rae won the draw for the hope bracelet. Katie - I'll be in touch! Thanks for all your comments and well wishes.

Six years ago today I wrote my first blog post. It was a few weeks after I'd been given a diagnosis for my health and felt quite discouraged that there was no magic pill to give me my life back.

I closed the year with this celebration. I began seeing someone for spiritual direction which quickly morphed into counselling. That trust relationship gave me the courage to eventually admit to myself and others that I struggled with this addiction. This is what one of my sessions often went like in those days.

I continued to struggle. I didn't change overnight.

If you have read me from the beginning you know I've experienced parenting nightmares,
spoonless days,
got back to meetings,
and did a radio documentary.

Eventually my chronic illness became less of a daily factor. (That sentence says so much.)

I continued to see my spiritual director.

Life went on.

I completed a life long dream. Although this much distance from that event humbles me. There's a long way to go before it's ready to submit anywhere for publication.

You journeyed with me as I faced the difficult work of healing from childhood sexual abuse.

When these two made their appearance you watched me become someone I never dreamed possible, one of those dog people.

The posts that get the most hits are for belly button birthdays and Thank You For Each Moment.

The one thing I rarely have posted about here is about this program. I post about it today in case someone comes across my blog because they are sick and tired of binge eating, white knuckling it, restricting their eating, any or all of the above. It is this program (which deals with the physical allergy to sugar/alcohol), combined with AA, that has given me a much more stable life. Sugar no longer calls my name and I am grateful.

The link I'm most pleased to have shared is about spoons.

The picture at the top of this post is of a bracelet made by my friend Ellie.

You can find more of her jewelry here.

I'm giving away a bracelet just like that one except it will have green stones because green is the symbolic colour of hope.

To enter the draw for the bracelet (hey lurkers, this includes you!)all you have to do is leave a comment telling me which blog post I linked to in this post you liked the best.
You might read them all, you might read just one.
You might like a different one than what's linked to here.
Just pick one.
I'll draw from all the names entered on the 15th of December.

Happy 6th anniversary to me!

22 comments:

Peter said...

I don't have a favourite, and I'm not entering the draw, Hope, but I have probably read most of them.

I lurk (and occasionally comment) for the simple reason that you almost always have something to say, something I can learn from, think about, pray around.

Your blog is a gift to your readers. In that sense, so is your life.

Thank you.

patti said...

Your navigating parenthood posts. I'm going through a doozy of a parenting nightmare now. I wish I knew what song that was...

Joy said...

Spoons. I found this post twice before I started following you. It has enabled me to understand a friend's energy levels as related to her illness, and also, helped me in my life.

Thank you. <3 May you have many more writing anniversaries. :)

Lisa said...

Congratulations on 6 years! We started blogging around the same time, since my 6 anniversary comes up in the spring. So fun to have met, too.

I think my favorite posts (though it's hard to pick) are definitely the ones having to do with spiritual direction and your visits with Fr. Charlie.

Hugs to you!

Daisy said...

Wow, Hope. I feel like I'm reminiscing with an old friend.

Haven't re-read them all yet, but parenting nightmares speaks to me. Individuating particularly rings a bell.

Happy 6th, Hope. As BP says, these posts are gifts for us.

XO

Mich

One Crafty Mother said...

I'm just so grateful to have met you, for your gorgeous words and your graceful heart.

Thanks for all the support, and for your open, honest courage.

You give me HOPE. :)

-Ellie

Christina said...

This is my favorite:

The Power of Choice

It touches me in SO MANY WAYS. Ah, the fear, and the trust issues. I know them well.

Thanks for sharing.
Christina

daisymarie said...

Spoons. And the steps you took and the courage you displayed when you went into treatment.You have blessed me so much. I am constantly touched by your honest. I've been here six years too. Very happy to have journeyed these miles and days with you. Hugs.

KatieRae said...

Your post "unmasked" on sexual abuse, as a former Rape Crisis Center counselor this really hit home. katierae3@gmail.com

Jennifer said...

Happy 6 years of inspiring us all with your ultimate fortitude and strength, even on those days you might not have believed you possessed it. You did. You do. And now look at this! Six years of a journey well taken to reflect on.

the Mom said...

Hi Hope,
I've enjoyed all of your posts, especially the ones with Fr. Charlie, but the one that has helped me the most was your one about spoons. It also really helped my husband understand a bit more about what living with endometriosis was like for me.
Thanks!

Beth said...

October 2, 2009. Told you then and I'll tell you now. Love it.

But it's not my favorite.

My favorite is every time you write.

Don't stop!

Be blessed -

beth

CiCi said...

Congratulations on six years of one day at a time success. My heart goes out to you in admiration for all you have overcome.

Unknown said...

I love the sugar addicts information, it is so helpful and has grown much like my AA recovery to help me more!

I also like the "one of those dog people" as so am I now. LOL

And I love Spoons...I received that last year from a dear friend who helped me to see that my life was in degrees and some days as all are better than others.

Hope, I have read through your blogs so many times and am SO thankful you are on the internet and blog, you always give me huge Hope, Strength and Courage.

Emily J. said...

I like the story about your son. I admire your strength in letting him be his own person.

annie said...

Hey Hope!! We must have started around the same time! But you have been far more consistent than I have! Congratulations to you! I can't possibly pick a favorite post but there have been so many times when what you have written has been just the thing I needed to hear! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Spoons was so eye-opening. I am going to continue reading more posts. Thank you.

poet said...

lurk and come and go. glad i stopped by to be able to congratulate you on your sixth soberversary. all the best and good for you. *gentle hugs* and make today GREAT~

Renee said...

I can't say which is my favorite, because time after time when I read your posts, I feel like you are peering into the darkest recesses of my heart, putting words to things I can't even see clearly. You encourage me so very much, that the things I struggle with (while they are different from yours) can get better and I can look forward to feeling more whole. I think we started blogging about the same time. Congratulations!

Evelyn said...

Happy Blogging Birthday! I loved thank you for this moment!

Jim said...

Happy six years of blogging, my friend. I think the first gentleman here said it well. God has used and continues to use you well, shining through you in so many ways.....

Rebecca Frech said...

I'm so glad that you have allowed us into your world. I learn so very much from you about bravery and honesty.

Thanks you