A Year Later!

I can't believe it has been an entire year since my last post.  I think of writing often, but rarely take the time to do it.  I always seem to feel like I should write with pen and paper, yet when I write with pen and paper it seems to be more journalish and prayers not writing as in writing.  What does that mean?

For at least 10 years I have wanted to write a book and write a blog.  I'm not sure why I have this desire or why I haven't worked harder to make it happen.  I wonder why some people are better at having a dream and then taking steps to accomplish it.

Today my dreams are to have a healthy self.  Physically, mentally and spiritually.  To have a healthy marriage and a healthy relationship with my children.

I am meeting this morning with a personal trainer.  It's weird I feel like I don't need to meet her because I know all that I need to do, yet I feel I need someone to help me in this journey.

Stay tuned....

The personal trainer meeting was so much more than a personal training meeting!  I'm not sure but I think she spoke life into me.

He loves me....

 

Thursday, February 14, 2013 Big and I left for our favorite little getaway Nemacolin Woodland Resort in Farmington, PA.  There are so many wonderful things there that it's impossible to describe.  You'll just have to trust me, or go visit for yourself.

This would be our first stay at The Chateau   We normally stay at Falling Rock.  Falling Rock is completely over the top in a quiet and unassuming way. The colors, the music, the light, the art, the hushed voices of everyone. Did I mention you have your own butler at Falling Rock?  As we checked into the chateau I couldn't help but wonder how we'd manage without a butler.  I imagined it will be just like every other day in our life... we'll get by.  The room and all the accoutrements were lovely and perfect and I bubbled over with excitement and anticipation for all that was ahead in these next four days. After unpacking and changing, Big and I were off to our first spa treatment, the Dream Catcher which promised to be 105 minutes of complete bliss.  We met in the boutique afterwards and Mr. B was so relaxed he could hardly speak. (Who needs a butler?)  We had a late lunch and headed back to our room where there was a lovely surprise waiting for me... a Nemacolin Woodlands Spa Robe...a little slice of heaven.  I immediately grabbed my book, Wild, by Cheryl Strayed and curled up in my robe.  I spent the remainder or the day and evening reading and napping.  We had a lovely dinner by room service and by 9:30 lights were out!  I slept so soundly that I don't think I moved until the next morning around 8.  We started our day with a leisurely breakfast and then spa treatments, lunch and another afternoon of napping and reading.  We had a lovely walk and dinner on Friday evening.  This was our routine for our brief but delightful time away.  I can't remember when I've last rested and slept so much.  It was a beautiful time with a beautiful man in a beautiful place.

Upon returning my bff, AE asked me what my favorite thing about the trip was... I think it was how loved and cared for I felt by Big and the sensation of allowing the weight of our world to be lifted from both of our shoulders.  I look forward to our next getaway....OBX over spring break!

This is where the healing begins...

I'm certain the healing began before I knew it.  God wanted my son healed and whole even more than I wanted it.  Afterall, Jesus was at the right hand pleading on my Owen's behalf.  My visions of warring angels soaring to the rescue of my son was a vision that brought me to tears more than once.  Tears of hope, tears of fear and tears of gratitude for the victory that I knew was soon to come.

Things had been spiralling down for quite some time with Owen's addiction and the destruction it was causing in his life and in our family.  He went to a 30day in-patient treatment facility which got the wheels turning in the right direction.  But it took coming home and failing to get him to his next big stop on his journey.

On Mother's Day in 2012 Owen left for The Granite House in Derry, NH,  The Granite House which we now fondly refer to as the G-House is a men's sober house.  It was there at the G-House that my son came back to me.  He became a responsible, honest, hardworking sober young man.  He renewed his faith and his resolve to live a clean and productive life; giving back to others. He diligently began working a 12 step program and continues to do so each day.

In December 2012 Owen moved into his first apartment.  He lives with two other sober young men.  One is his sponsor and the other is a friend he made while at the G-House.  He is currently enrolled in the Paul Mitchell Beauty School in the Cosmetology Track.  He spends his free time working the steps, attending meetings and most recently has a sponsee as well as spending a great deal of time on his photographyl.

I am amazed by Owen's recovery this last year and also my recovery.  I have learned many things through my son's journey which forced me to concentrate on my own.

The journey has just begun and I'm trying to enjoy the path, daily^.

 Lamentations 3:22-23
²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.  ²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.