January 2nd, 2009

Graduation Speech

The road to get me here was long, dark, and filled with much negativity.  I fell into a lot of pits in 27 years.  Some I was able to get out of, but on November 15th, I jumped headfirst into one that almost cost me my life.  I questioned why God didn’t take me that night, but I’ve learned that His purpose for me hasn’t been fulfilled yet.  Now who am I to let God down?  My pits came in a wide variety- some I slid in, some I was thrown in, and some I jumped in- but they were all pits nonetheless.  The most recent pit I gradually slid in was self-pity and alcohol.  I don’t know where i would be right now if not for A Forever Recovery.  This last few weeks have been Hell- I’ve laughed through joy, cried through pain and despair, and now, I smile with newfound faith, confidence, and happiness.  The ways each of you have helped me are uncontainable and I’d think to thank all the people that helped me transition from a trainwreck in my own prison to a state of grace and freedom.  Words can’t express my gratitude to you all.  You have collectively opened the door to giving my parents back their daughter, my brother and sister back their baby sister, my nephews back their aunt, my life back to God, and me back to a state of Grace.

I’ll leave you all with one last thought.  Forgiveness is not passivity, it’s power.  Take this power and wield it, beginning with forgiving yourself.  First you will it, then you’ll feel it.  Start it today, confirm it tomorrow.  Thanks, A Forever Recovery, for helping me learn to forgive myself again.  You’ve provided me that glimmer of hope and a new family.  The light at the end of the tunnel no longer feels like another train coming.  I now have a strong foundation on which to build a happy, sober life of freedom.  My toolbox is full, my faith is strong, and my outlook is finally positive.  Remember- what we do does that define who we are- what defines us is how we rise after falling.

-Jodie F.