Submit a message.
Sierra Tucson's Message Board
helps alumni stay connected with each other after treatment. If you
would like to post a message of hope and encouragement or just say
"Hi," please submit your message or response. (All messages are reviewed
and approved by Sierra Tucson staff prior to posting.)
Mendy H02/13/2010
I received my miracle at ST in Feb-Mar 2001. I was a skinny little girl from Alabama with a pony tail and baseball cap. I would love to reconnect to those who were there. This is my first time to revisit this web site in many years. I am also curious to find a copy of the prayer we used to say at sunrise/sunset.
God Bless and 13 thank yous.
Mendy
Linda C.02/07/2010
Hi. Here I am posting again. Was at ST Jan/Feb 2007. I'm on an overseas work assignment for 4 weeks (Africa) and am struggling a little bit with memories, anxiety. Recent flashbacks that I haven't had in a while. Words of wisdom for someone far from friends. The world seems too silent when the ghosts are loud and help is far away. Thanks all...
Frank R.01/19/2010
I was at Sierra Tucson from November 1st to December 1st 2005 and would love to hear from those of you who were there during that time if for no reason other than to share what it felt like then and how it feels now. I can say without hesitation that it was one of the best decisions I ever made. At the time I was so mentally and physically exhausted from years of substance abuse and was in the process of losing everything I hold dear in my life. During those 30 days I was inspired and comforted by all my fellow patients who were, like me, looking at themselves in the mirror more honestly than perhaps ever before. Many of you like myself cried a lot and I was very happy to be in a place I could do that and not be embarassed and be in such a loving supportive environment. To be sure, today life still has all the same challenges that existed before ST which can at times be quite difficult to face and it is just those times I remind myself of the importance of what I refer to as protecting myself from myself and rembering all the pain and suffering I felt prior to ST and how important it is to stay vigilant mentally. At present I lead the New York City Sierra Tucson Alumni Support Group which I have been doing for two years and it serves as an ever present reminder of taking life one day at a time and being gentle with myself and others. We meet once and sometimes twice a month with some of us having been discharged 15 years ago and some days ago. The message I hope to send with the NYC group is that we unconditionally support one another as it is exceedingly rare that any of us are going to resume our lives without multiple setbacks. I see the whole idea as a safe place where we encourage one another when we are struggling and need support most. No one knoows that better than those of us who spent a month or more out in that beautiful desert. I can be contacted at FLRST@OPTONLINE.NET
anonymous01/02/2010
Hello All!! Tough time of the year! I was at ST from Jan 5-Feb 6 2005 - any takers. I made a few really good friends and would like to see how you are all doing! Hope all is well for the new year...
Linda C12/28/2009
Hello. I was at Sierra Tucson Jan/Feb 2007, in the trauma program. I still struggle so much, but the time at ST did change my life. New friends and a more positive outlook; tools to use when the world comes crashing down; a better understanding of what happened and how to deal with it every day. Thank you ST...staff and colleagues alike. Wish I could come back for a refresher. I look to the new year with hope...
April E12/06/2009
Sarah T.
I am not in cleveland, but i am also from ohio (about 30 minutes west of columbus), and if you needed someone to talk to you can feel free to email me at april43140@yahoo.com.
I too was at ST in the ED program.
Patricia B11/27/2009
Today I would like to say thank you to ST, a family member and spirit for introducing me to a life that I would not otherwise have today. 06/1992 changed my life when I had the opportunity to be at ST for Family Week. From then on everything changed in my life; family, friends, places and things! I am eternally grateful for having the opportunity to look at what was going on in my life and also have the opportunity to change it; there is a solution!
Thank you ST, a family member and spirit for giving me the opportunity to pass it on and hopefully be of some benefit to others.
Bryn K.11/04/2009
I was at Sierra Tucson August 8 to September 15, 2008 in the ED program. Since then I have been struggling but Sierra Tucson definitely changed my life and I still think about all the wonderful people I met while there. I live in the Orange County, CA area and would love to get in touch with any Sierra Tucson alum.
Sarah T10/30/2009
I was at Sierra Tucson from May 20th to June 1st, 2009 in the ED program. I am struggling and looking for anyone who lives in the Cleveland, OH area that I could talk to.
Lori10/28/2009
I was at Sierra Tucson in 1998 for Trauma in an abusive marriage and he committed suicide in front of me. I was wondering if anyone lives in San Antonio which is where I live now? I would like to find a good therapist because I still have some residual feelings on anxiety and fear.
Thanks so much...I felt better just reading some of the emails on this sight. Dance like no one is watching...I remember that and the stars that were in the millions...I had never seen so many.
Thanks...and love yourself...Expect a miracle and you are a miracle.
Lori
Rae T.10/27/2009
It is with sadness and a heavy heart to report the death of my dear friend and fellow Sierra Tucson Alumni Martha D. of Atlanta, GA. Martha attended ST Feb-April 2006. Please keep her 3 children, and 5 grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers.
Blessings in Sobriety,
Rae T
March 2006
April E. (was April W.)10/15/2009
Hey everyone,
Still trying to connect with the people I spent my time at ST with in Dec. 1999-Jan. 2000. I'm not doing so hot on the ED front and just wanted to get in touch with some people who have been through the same thing. I'm on facebook as April Earles and my email is april43140@yahoo.com .
thanx-
April
Bradley B10/15/2009
The gift has been given! Your feathers fluff and you fly. Heart in body, feet on ground, a cool wind at your face. Landing in a clean and sober life. Thank you all for loving yourself enough to live in the real world. With all of you, I will never have to walk alone!
Janna D10/14/2009
Attended Sierra Tucson Aug.2005 for alcohol addiction...sober ever since.
Mali's writing really moved me. I could feel myself back on that land that I will always love. I would walk the path out there alone and feel the Indian spirit there. Thank you, Mali, for sharing and bringing back to me that special memory...
Mali W. 09/28/2009
I attended Sierra Tucson from
4/20/01-5/16/01 for alcohol
addiction. I was 19 when I entered
and now at 27, I am eight years sober
and am about to graduate with honors
from a New Jersey college with a
degree in English/Creative Writing. I
recently wrote the following short
excerpt for my creative non-fiction
class, and would like to share it. Bear
with me, its a bit long. But as we all
know, anything worth doing- takes
time and hard work! Enjoy!!
There is magic in the mountains of
Arizona. Not the type of magic that
pulls doves forth from black hats, but
the type of magic that turns brown dirt
rocks into radiant reds, and evening
skies from brilliant blues to a swirl of
soft sherbet pinks and purples, and
eventually into a blackness so vast,
you’d lose sight of yourself if not for
the light of the moon and the stars. It
was in those mountains that she had
gone to die, but instead, was magically
restored.
The irony was not lost on her that
she had been sent to the middle of the
desert to dry out. Here, amongst
cactus that stood upright, with spiny
arms raised, like they were either
warding off unwanted visitors, or
warning those who were inside to stay,
she knew she was being granted one
last pardon. And so, like a diligent
pupil, she recited the words they
wanted to hear, “alcoholic”, “shame”,
“depressed” all the while knowing
inside, their was too much damage,
she couldn’t be fixed, nor was she
worth it.
But each day, as the sun would
set, she’d join the others in a Native
American prayer to the four directions,
giving thanks to Mother Earth and
Father Sky. Despite how ridiculous
she initially felt at participating in this
odd ritual, she would eventually come
to find comfort in the prayer. Needing
something to believe in, she turned to
the beauty that surrounded her.
And that is how one night, nearly
three weeks in to treatment, she found
herself laying on the hard stones that
made up the outside seating area. As
the cicadas sang their nightly lullabies,
she tried to breathe like they had
taught them- deep, through your
nose, into the core, let your breathe
flow through your chest, down your
spine, and touch your toes, let it rise
back up, and then, exhale. In and out,
she breathed. Let go, let go, let go.
She repeated her own mantra, offering
it up to whoever would hear it.
When it rains in Arizona, you
smell it first. This is something she
learned as a child, spending summers
knowing the minute you smell rain,
you get out of the wash. Some say its
the spores of dead plants, others say
it’s the leaves of the Creosote bush,
she knew, it was part of the magic.
When she breathed in that next
breathe, she felt the rain, down to her
toes, before it even started falling.
And so she waited, as the final star
vanished behind the veil of the clouds,
and the warm water fell on her face,
she let it wash her away.
karen09/11/2009
9/11/09
Dan P.
This is a day of remembering those that lost their lives and a day for you to continue to build yours! I am so happy that you are in such a special and powerful place. My heart and all my support are with you.
I love you.
tony s08/22/2009
While at st in jan.03 for the second time
the first being the previous year I was
really afraid I would never get it. Thank
you all. I find myself, during those
restless nights, remembering those I
shared time with and of equal import
shared honest feelings with as well.
David thank you as I also extend a thank
you to the entire staff.You all are special
Alec D 08/19/2009
wow, how cool to find this board. only
wish more knew about + used it. April
14-May 13 2009 were the best 30 days
of my life , thx in large part to Wayne,
Eric + Stone, and so many fab "co-
campers". i actually really miss the place.
Good news is am 4 months+ sober,
haven't had a drink since day before
checking in. its way better sober for sure.
25 years high, now months sober. would
have been nice to figure it out sooner,
but i don't live with regret.
would love to hear from my fellow
"campers", or any alum who'd like to
check in. I live in Portland Maine, and am
in NYC regularly having grown up there +
dad still lives on 78th + lex, also sober.
my email is alec@deadriver.com
namaste, alec d in maine
Matthew P.07/24/2009
Hey Sierra Tucson crew! I am SO excited about the upcoming reunion. I can't wait to see everyone I know and meet some new friends too! Here's wishing everyone safe travels. See you Friday!
Bronwen B07/23/2009
This is a message for Jayson F CAME TO FAMILY MEETING IN MAY 09 WAS IN SIERRA TUCSON FOR MY OWN TRAUMA IN 1993 Jayson I became good friends with your parents i was the S.O. George L -I LOVED YOUR COMMITTMENT AND COURAGE AND HOW HARD YOU WORKED WHILE IN TREATMENT-WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING I GOT SO MUCH ONCE AGAIN FROM SIERRA TUCSON -THEY HAVE SAVED MY LIFE AND HELPED ME FIND GRACE FROM A WHOLE NEW LEVEL AGAIN AND THIS IS 29YRS OF CONSISTENT SOBRIETY -WE NEVER STOP LEARNING AND IT JUST GETS MORE AND MORE AWESOME -HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON-IN SPIRI AND LOVE-BRONWEN
kate p07/17/2009
I'm so excited to see everyone at the reunion! It will be a blast.
Jeff R 07/16/2009
Just wanted to say hello to everyone who helped me back in July 2002. When I arrived on July 3rd,I thought everything was hopeless. Just the opposite has occurred. My kids and I have a great relationship and they are well, my job has never been better, and I'm remarried.There is a higher power if you believe.
Jeff R. Kansas City - July 2002
Nancy K07/08/2009
HI
Mikey G just reading the board and saw your note glad to hear your are doing so well.
Iam still in Chandler and think of you when I drive down Dobson and by the hospital where your dad works.
i have a year sober on 7/11/09 and my friends and i are going out to celebrate at Flemings for dinner. I be having their expensive bottled water.
Love to hear from you email is nanner3@cox.net.
take care
Nancy K
Naomi K.07/02/2009
Hi Gail from 2006 Thanksgiving... I think you're "the" Gail who was so kind and wise, honest, humble, and oh, yes, a lot of fun on those nights we howled back at the coyotes! Would love to be back in touch. No surprise, I lost my ST book with all the names and emails.
It's been a struggle for me. Fired 3 months after I returned from a job I'd had for 15 years, then a near-death experience with a root canal (wish I were kidding). But so much of ST has stayed within me, and I'm working again, still seeking... and longwinded. Really just wanted to say hello, thanks, especially to Lizzy and the night staff (yes, I'm writing this at 4 a.m.). Thinking of returning for anxiety/depression but perhaps miracles only come around once. Hey, Gail, how are you?
Leila K.06/27/2009
Attended ST in January of 2002, anyone
else from that time attending? My actual
first day was 1/25/02.
Is any one driving from the Texas?
Would love to hear from any one from
that time period who may be attending.
"Dance like no one is watching"
Leila K.
todd t06/26/2009
How many sponsees does it take to change a light bulb? One, if he wants to change! Don't take yourself too seriously. I am blessed to be alive. 1992 graduate. Afterspirit@gmail.com. Todd t. salt lake city utah.
Phebe T06/25/2009
Great to read these! I was at ST in the summer of 1990 and am still clean and sober, a licensed psychologist up here in montana. ST gave me and my family our lives back. I could not have imagined all the amazing things that have unfolded in sobriety. It works if you work it! If anyone was there at ST June/July 1990, would love to hear from you!
todd t06/25/2009
Graduated with patrick s. I pray for you patrick with your illness presently. I don't remember what year but loved it there. 12 years sober aa. If u remember me from the early 90 s please drop me a line.I transfered to florida briefly outpatient and then back to seattle to live.we called patrick (buddy) because of his noteriety.
Jean R06/23/2009
Hello ST, hello to alumni members, hello to anyone,
I just read a message from someone who was in ST on thanksgiving. For me the spirit of Thanksgiving was given to me in ST. For the first time in my life I also learned to receive that wonderful gift of love. It all started almost two years ago. And what a ride towards happiness in sobriety it has been since. Before my coming to ST, I did not know it existed. Now I somehow do, and I humbly learn more every day. For that one-in-a-lifetime chance, I am grateful, and I wanted to thank all my recovery team, the supporting staff, and all those attended ST during the summer 2008.
Jean
Lisette06/23/2009
Kyle, baby, from what I have read on the ST-site you are in the best hands and everything is going to be okay. I know you will succeed at this and find yourself again, I have faith in you for you are a truly remarkable and strong willed person; I'm so thankful and blessed to have you in my life! Thinking of you 24/7, never letting go of your hand.
I love you!
Your Lisette xxx
George B06/23/2009
Steven, I just wanted to say hi and let you know that I am thinking of you and praying for your success in this program. You are an awesome person and you have the will and drive to succeed at this.
Love you,
Dad
Mike B06/23/2009
Steven
Greetings from your Uncle Michael! Hope you are doing well in your first few days here. From the looks of this program, you are going to be in for one of the greatest discovery times in your life. And please don't forget that I know what you are going through as I have been there too. As they say in AA, "don't stop short of the miracle". Remember, half measures availed us nothing...
I want you to know that myself, Aunt Mona, and Megan truly love you and care about you and want you to be the best person you can be!
Well, enjoy yourself, find out about the miracle (because you are one!)and yourself, and please call me when you need to talk about anything. Remember, progress rather than perfection!
Love and Serenity
Uncle Michael
Mikey G.06/11/2009
July/August 2008
Hello Sierra Tucson! If anyone remembers that rather annoying way that I welcomed beautiful Sierra Tucson every morning then great. Man did I enjoy my stay at ST. If anyone remembers, I was "asked to leave" early (after already being there 36 days). Anyway, from there I bounced around from facility to facility, state to state, screwing up all the way, and I ended up in Show Low, Arizona into what WAS my worst nightmare. Fortunately, it turned out for the best. At this moment, writing this message, I am at my wonderful job where I get to work with clients who are in the beginning stages of their recovery. I absolutely love it. And I love my life, along with all the hardships that come along with it. But that brings me back to my stay at ST. I spoke of the story of my life after just to tell you how much my life there mattered. Even after leaving early, ST did more for me than I could have ever imagined. I met the nicest people, learned from the best, and was taught the most, all at ST. Thank you Sierra Tucson. Till next time, be good.
Pat B06/11/2009
Is there anyone who attended ST during December of 08 - January of 09 who is going to attend? I'll go if you go!!! Let me hear from you.
pat@patballer.com
My stay at ST changed my life and I am now really living MY life!
LindyB06/11/2009
Hi Everyone, I was at ST June / July 2008. Since that time my recovery has been very rocky, I ended up back in a facility in London for 4 weeks in February this year. Since that time, I have moved to Gibraltar (Southern Spain), gone through a move to a different Country, death of a close relative and numerous other disasters! Each day I have to remind myself of what I achieved whilst at ST - very difficult to do at 3am when you cant sleep!!! I would welcome being in touch with other Alumni who knew me - I have been very bad, and not contacted anyone who wrote in my journal - I have no excuse! I know that I need to reach out and ask for support - when again this morning - that dreaded feeling returned - and I could not be bothered to get up and take my 4 year old daughter to school or indeed do anything! It is very hard when you are in a new Country, don't know anyone, have 3 kids and a husband (who does not want to discuss my feelings anymore) who travels overseas the majority of the time. Maybe one of you will know of other alumni who may be in this part of the world. If so do let me know - my email is lindyb@hotmail.com, I thank you for reading this!
Brittany W06/10/2009
I haven't visited the site in a few months
and just wanted to check in...I went to ST
Feb-Mar 2008 and it was by far the most
rewarding 30 days of my entire life. Now,
15 months later, I am still sober and
enjoying life more than ever. At the
recommendation of Dave Chandler and
Michelle I continued my journey to Safe
Harbor Treatment Center for Women in
Orange County, CA. There I was able to
continue my journey with girls just like
myself, only adding the priceless tools I
gained at ST. Thanks again to the Sierra
Tucson staff and my fellow patients for
helping me turn over a new leaf. I am
FOREVER grateful to you all.
Love Always xx
Jayson F.06/07/2009
I am finishing my last week here at ST and am interested if there is anyone out there from Western Massachusetts or Hartford, CT that might be interested in forming a support group. I was at ST for CD and Trauma. If interested, post to this board and I will send you an email. Thanks.
Gail F., Maitland FL05/30/2009
Anyone out there remember Thanksgiving 2006 and the weeks leading to Xmas? I left ST on Dec.19th. Remember Howling at the Moon out in the field? That was very liberating for me. The first night my voice was squeaky and I couldn't get the vocals to really "let it out". Each night, thereafter, at 9:00pm I was holding hands and howling with the best of them. I haven't done that since. I guess I need to get to one of these reunions so I can reunite with "my voice" and the wild animals that howled back. Would love to hear from anyone who was at ST with me. I have gotten out my journal with the numbers and e-mail addresses and tried to reach out, but not much response. I would very much like to know how everyone, is doing? It was a scary, sad and painful time for me. Without ST and all of you I wouldn't have so much recovery! (I was in the Moody Blues)
Nancy D05/29/2009
Hey Alumni,
Just wanted to put a shout out to anyone who was in ST july-aug 2002. I often think about the people who were in treatment with me and I know I could not have found the willingness to surrender without all of y'all. I am planning to attend the reunion and just keep taking it one day at I time. I am truly living the life I was always meant to live!
Benny P05/27/2009
July 2006
Do not take the chance you have been given for granted. Do the nessesary work and remain active in your own recovery process. Do the deal one day at a time and by the grace of god you will remain sober. There are so many people still out there struggling tonight held down by the grips of addiction yet we recieved a blessing. One month from now I would have collected my three year chip but I was not ready to live in sobriety it seemed impossible for me to comprehend how to live life on lifes terms. For me it took two and a half more years of pain and suffering for me to truly admit I was not in control and my life was completly unmanagable.
I am four months clean today for the first time in my life and I am going to continue working my program to keep it. Thank you ST for planting that seed three years ago.
vrtxbp@hotmail.com
Bonnie H05/03/2009
14 years ago today, I got a plane from NY to Arizona to attend Sierra Tucson. My life was a mess. Tomorrow marks my 14 year clean date from drugs and alcohol. I am forever grateful for the foundation that was formed during my first month clean at Sierra Tucson. I have the most fond memories of my time there and will never forget them. I am eternally grateful and my life has never been the same! Thank you. I would love to get in touch with others who were at Sierra Tucson when I was...
Bonnie H, formerly Bonnie K.
Teresa O now M03/22/2009
I was just curious if anyone from Orange County, CA is driving to the Reunion? I am thinking about going this year after 20 years of seeing the place I think it is time. Many ups and downs in the past 20 years. I am still a very changed person due to ST. It saved my life in many ways. I would love to drive up with a group! I will even drive. I have room for 3!! :) I
don't think a day has gone by in the past 20 years that I haven't thought of ST in some way or another. A sense of calm runs through my veins with thoughts of ST. Would love to see it again and experience the miracles that happen there! Still looking for North Orange County Alumni's!!
Luv and light, Teresa
Becky M03/04/2009
I was at ST in June 1991. A friend of mine recently came to ST, which prompted me to check out the website.
ST changed my life. I left there a very different person _ no shame, no anger and a whole lot less fear. I currently live in Arkansas where I work as a licensed therapist. If anyone from Yucca, June 91 is reading this _ drop me a line sometime. I would love to re-connect. My name then was Becky McGowan _ now I go by Rebecca Spooner.
rebeccaspooner@sbcglobal.net
Jennifer F.02/19/2009
10/05 - 11/05
Hi. Was just looking thru the various messages and I thought I would try to reach out to those who went to ST w/ me. Found my journal the other day w/ all the wonderful messages from all my fellow peers and would love to get in touch w/ them again. I am originally from Indianapolis but currently reside in South Florida which is where I moved to after my stay at ST. While I have not had continuous sobriety since my stay at ST I do keep coming back and for that will always be grateful to ST. Thank you.
Love Jenn
jsfelds@yahoo.com
Tim02/06/2009
R.I. Julie,
My insurance paid for most of my treatment and I some of my alumni friends received money back from their insurance company. I would recommend calling the intake dept at Sierra Tucson, it could not hurt for them to check your insurance. Also I found that if I called my insurance directly because I was the policy holder that helped me out in the long run. Good luck to you.
Julie02/04/2009
Hi Alumni,
I have not been to this program but friends of mine have gotten so much out of it. While I have 2 insurances this is a self-pay facility. Does anyone know of a way to get financial assitance, or another tx facility that would take insurance. Wanting to help myself enjoy life again. Thank you so much for any info! love julie in RI.
Aimee02/01/2009
I would love to hear from anyone from my 1992 stay (Eating Disorders Unit). I had a bond with a lot of you. I regret not staying in touch. You can contact me apierce0873@bellsouth.net.
Brandon M01/08/2009
Good morning fellow alum. Today is another amazing day of life. I was at ST June-July 2001 only a few months after graduating high school. Well Jan 1st I celebrated 7 years clean. I owe a huge amount gratitude to ST for showing me the disease and how I can live outside my addiction. My calling to help other young addicts, 27 with 7 years clean helps me see what I am here for. Anyone in Florida and lives a clean life or needs the therapeutic value of one addict helping another, please contact me @ brandonm@tubelite.com. Life is Good! Dont use no matter what!
Larry C.01/03/2009
Hello to everyone and thank you to Sierra Tucson for the start to my life that you gave me in 1986. I spent Christmas at ST that year and have lived continuously sober each day since. It has been full of challenges and it has been wonderful.
I purchased a home in 1992 and my neighbor had a dog Fritz, named after an amazing soul I met at ST. If there is anyone that remembers Fritz or happened to be at ST in Dec 1986 please say hello.
One Earth
One Peach
One Love
Larry
April E.12/22/2008
Hey, I was just stopping by again to see if there was anyone still around that rang in the new year of 2000 with me at Sierra Tucson. I was April W. while I was there. You would probably remember me as the little anorexic gothic girl. Life has thrown a lot at me since I left Sierra Tucson. I have managed to come through still "on the wagon" no longer indulging in my eating disorder. It has been really tough here lately. It has occupied my mind more than it should. I have fought it so far. If you were there with me, I would really like to hear from you. My email is april43140@yahoo.com . I wanted to congratulate you all on your sobriety. Hope to hear from y'all soon.
Rae T.12/10/2008
When I've become a little overwhelmed during this holiday season I get back to basics:
Breath
Pause
Call my sponsor
Pray
go to a meeting
These valuable tools take me back to my center and then I can do the next thing on my list instead of trying to do everything at once and getting nothing done.
At the end of the day I can write all this down in my journal and honestly thank my HP, God, for a wonderful, sober, productive day. I am really enjoying the season because of all these gifts.
Thank you Sierra Tucson, for all you have given me.
Michelle B.11/30/2008
Five years ago today, I was in the process of recovery at Sierra Tucson (Nov-Dec 2003) for an eating disorder Now, five years later, I find myself with a masters degree and engaged to the man I love who stood by me while I was at Sierra Tucson and through all of my treatment. I still struggle from time to time, but I can look at what I have accomplished to get me through each day. I want to send my well wishes to everyone who was with me at ST during my stay and to all alumni who continue to fight through the long
battle of recovery.
For those of you who were at ST with
me-"I feel like a woman"-Shania Twain
Natalie11/27/2008
Happy Thanksgiving to all who were at ST on Thanksgiving 2007. you all were there, each one for a specific, hand- chosen reason. and i was/am the greatful reciepent of so many of those intimate moments that healed. it may have been a smile, or a kindness and warmth in someones eyes...it may have been a heart-felt exchange of shared stories on the pathway to the smoke area at night with the stars shinning over head in the cold, crisp air....how often i wished that i smoked. :) thats crazy, how funny..never before have i thought that .but the community of nurturing family you all provided and shared in those common puffs and clouds of smoke was nourishing to the soul. for we are wounded in community and we are healed in community. it may have been the friend who came and got me to walk the track ...singing sweet old hymns her grandmother sang to her..going into my ears, thet did, pulling me back from where ever i was and gounding me again to the face of God. held, i was indeed. in the setting of an encircled haven covered by the hand of God in misty morning breezes of rain...cool and crisp, how her voice would flow and nourish me, carrying me, it was. and so happy his favorite was found:)
ps the ect worked, i was resurrected from the dead. remember, when you have faith, every thing is possible:) and also remember LOVE HURTS. with love, many hugs and smiles always. blessings to all, natalie.
mts.org ps again, we are miraculously still a family again.
Joan (Joni)10/29/2008
Anyone who was there May thru June, 1993, eating disorder area, please, please, contact me at jmor329@aol.com. I think about my group and others every day. Keith K, thank you, thank you, thank you. I am whole.
Joni
Jeff10/29/2008
I put together a website (also for
phones) to be a database of meetings
around the world with listings for a city
or part of a city organized by time also
with maps and directions. The idea is
that at any given time you can pull up a list and a map of the closest meetings starting soon. The address is http://maatings.org and went up on
Monday. I'll be adding more cities as I
go along but pls let me know if u would
use this and if you'd like your hometown up there or if u can help. Reach me at maatings@gmail.com.
Courtney M10/14/2008
I was at ST back in 2005 after an
intervention and no awareness as to
why I was there. At times I have just
wanted to check back in. Today at 27,
I am filled with Sierra Tucson, it comes
up for me everywhere. and very little
did I know when I was there that it
would play such a huge role in my
future recovery and my entire life. I
am in the fellowship here in Los
Angeles, I have 16 days and feel
blessed to finally be ready and have
this awareness. These years I have
carried a library of books around from
ST and I am using them NOW and
loving them, I have my special rock
that I hold on to always as a reminder
of ST, but the experience is rooted
deep within me. I have a wonderful
friendship with my roomate from the
lodge. what a spiritual experience I am
having, It has been a long road back
to this place i belong and im staying
sober. Thank you for sending me
these messages that have given me
direction when I have been off course.
I can now really be a part of that
miracle you all were talkin' about!
Thank you and God bless.
Sierra Tucson hosts many events for our alumni and behavioral health professionals.
