I had a tea party tonight. My house overflowed with recovering women from my extended circle and my kitchen table didn’t have a square inch free of mostly healthy snacks, quite a few gluten-free and vegan because some of us eat like that. We had five little kids hanging about (well, one was a wee baby so he mostly hung off of his mom) and one teenager. Towards the end, a beloved woman who is closer to 80 than 75 these days dropped in. She is a dear soul to all of us.
All but four of us in attendance are in recovery (not including the kids, of course) from addiction or alcoholism. Some of us do 12 step recovery, others don’t. I’d say the majority of us have taken a yoga for recovery class in town with my daughter Taryn from Taryn Strong Yoga. At least 1/2 of us have been to a retreat – a few have actually been to four or five. Taryn and I have been to all seven, naturally.
We are all pretty successful people and most of us have been in recovery for a long time. One of us has minimal clean today, but is getting back on track after a rather lengthy relapse. The truth is that shit happens to people like us. And so we have to celebrate when we make it back. Because not all of us do.
All of us were really thrilled to see at least one person we hadn’t seen in a really long time, tonight. Most of us were really happy to see Annie – who has been away the longest. We drank more coffee than tea as it turned out and there was way too much food left behind. Well, my husband didn’t seem to mind when he came home but I’m not really appreciating that three chocolate dishes calling me from the kitchen.
I’m rambling a bit because I am exhausted. Happily exhausted. It’s been a great week – the launch of this website was a dream come true but it has tuckered me right out. Taryn’s online She Recovers Mala shop is off to a great start, she is so grateful for your support. And I am too. It’s great to know that you love the malas as much as we do.
I won’t get much rest this weekend as Sunday is Recovery Day in our city and I’m the mistress of ceremonies. A good number of the women who were here tonight will drop by the celebration in our town square on Sunday. There will be music, speakers, balloons, information tables and by some odd twist a whole bunch of superheroes in costume (it’s a long story). We will show our city what recovery looks like on Sunday and that’s a good thing – they already know what addiction looks around here.
My tea party was originally intended as an early Recovery Day celebration. I think we did good. I’m so grateful for the amazing women in my life – for their support and for their love, not just for Taryn and I, but for each other. I don’t know that She Recovers would exist without the support of women like my Bug, Nap Coach, TL and so many others who were here this evening.
I’m thinking I might just have started an annual tradition for the Friday before Recovery Day. I’m pretty sure I am going to do it again next year. And you know what? You are all invited.
Love, Dawn
Awesomeness ?. One day. Soon.
Thanks for being here, Deb!
Next year, I will get the dates in advance, and not only attend Recovery Day, with the intent to emulate in PEI, but to also come to your tea party. I just can’t stay 9306 km away, to let Allen eat the lefts overs.
You would have loved the tea party, Gretha – lots of women here that you know from Mexico! And as often happens when passionate, loving women get together – more big ideas percolating about how to extend the special bonds that we share as women in recovery. Love you, my friend.
PS – Allan says he would happily share the left overs with you.
Finding this post has aneserwd my prayers
Thanks for being here!
What a lovely post, and what a lovely time I had last night at your tea party Dawn. Thank you for inviting me. I saw new and old faces and laughed and connected with all of them. What an extraordinary group of women. Thank you for gathering us all at your home and creating such a warm, hospitable atmosphere. There was a real air of sisterhood that felt like a warm soft blanket. Thank you so much for the invite Dawn, Alaina
Thank you, beautiful. I was so tired when I wrote it that I should probably read it again! Thank you and Susie for coming – I don’t see enough of you. And may I just say, your comment read like a warm soft blanket. I’m excited to see your blog submissions. Lots of love.
I am in awe of your stamina, Dawn. Since your inaugural post you’ve made time to work on your National Recovery Day celebration, host a tea party, manage your day-to-day living (juggling work and family) and write this post too. I imagine a woman living life to the fullest, grateful for every moment, in service to others. A life in full bloom.
This is what Recovery looks like. I’m feeling inspired.
Thank you Shelley – you are very kind. I do love my great big, full life. And I much prefer the word “stamina” to workaholic lol. I look forward to meeting you in person one day soon. Much love.
I love your tea time idea, Dawn. So great to connect and celebrate with your women friends. Nothing better than the gals. Your new website is beautiful and the work you are doing is so needed. Thank you!
Cathy – I am sorry that I didn’t respond to your comment last week. I thought I had – does that count, lol? Thank you for being a part of this community – the work that YOU do is greatly needed as well.