Stories like these...
are how we find ourselves (again) + announcing this year's IWD Speakers!
She walked in with ripped white jeans, a tight red t-shirt, and green hair. A halo of sweet vape smoke lingered.
As she made her way to the podium, her breaths were measured, purposeful.
Between a rising chest and wringing hands and shifting weight from foot to foot, she shared.
The room echoed and nodded as she told her story, familiar: sexual abuse, broken home, drugs. More trauma. More drugs.
“I was stretched to the breaking point, but did not break.”
And then she talked about recovery.
And then a new beginning.
And then a hope for what’s next.
Photo by Isabela Kronemberger on Unsplash
“Ms. Faye came into the prison to talk about Jesus.”
She said she got baptized because she was bored. The rest of the women were doing it.
And then she went back.
Back home.
Back to the streets.
Back to what she knew.
Two years later after more (hurt, drugs, prison), Krista got saved again. But it was more than saving. It was sanctification through recovery. Letting the water fall down her back, carrying with it her shame. Streetlamps and high heels. Years forgotten. Now laughter. Hope. Bright eyes.
When you try to wash away ashes, it takes time. The residual holds on like eyelash glue.
But she was ready this time.
Ready to live.
“Now I believe,” she said with tears in her eyes, “God loves me.”
She looked up to the ceiling, to the heavens.
“I’m loved.”
Stories like these are commonplace in rooms of recovery.
Addiction, divorce, disaster, pregnancy, or infant loss, trafficking; and new ideas, new opportunities, new relationships, new places, second, third, and fourth chances: Each story carrying an opportunity.
Each story, a mirror and a window.
A reflecting back and an inviting in.
Hearing another woman’s story of recovery and healing, for me, is holy.
It’s a holy moment when our stories speak to each other. When they reflect the hope that is possible, the hope that is waiting.
I love what Anne Lamott shares in her book, Almost Everything: Notes on Hope:
…I’ve learned that stories hold us together. Stories teach us what is important about life, why we are here and how it is best to behave, and that inside us we have access to treasure, in memories and observations, in imagination.
Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash
How have stories moved you? How have stories held you together?
How has sharing your story moved others?
There are ways that you can be involved in sharing stories and connecting in new ways in 2025.
Sign up to stay updated about this year’s International Women’s Day Event on March 8th. This annual virtual event brings together recovery supporters around the world. Sign up here.
Share your story with Recovery.com (message me to learn more).
Stay connected on Circle of Chairs and get updates on new opportunities for sharing your story!
Connect with your local recovery community and volunteer or give back in ways that are meaningful and fill a need in your area.
Other ideas? I’d love to hear from you.
Drumroll, please! 🥁
I’m thrilled to announce our incredible lineup of speakers for the 4th Annual International Women’s Day Global Recovery Event!
Get ready to be inspired by powerful stories of recovery from around the world.
Supported this year by Circle of Chairs, Meghann Perry Storytelling, McShin Foundation, Young People in Recovery, She Recovers Foundation, Global Family Recovery Alliance, Jordan Peer Recovery, A New Path, CCAR, MOAR, and more, this event is a powerful platform dedicated to bringing awareness to women’s addiction and mental health recovery.
Event Goals:
1. Raise awareness of issues specific to women’s addiction and mental health recovery.
2. Amplify women’s voices in global recovery advocacy.
3. Highlight organizations supporting women’s recovery on a global scale.
4. Discuss the value and impact of storytelling in stigma reduction.
This event aims to create a ripple effect of positive change, and I would love for you to join and not miss out! Let’s continue to share stories and hope.