What do you remember about creating your Valley Hope Cup during treatment? What did your design represent at that point in your recovery?
I remember painting my cup after a family came to honor their loved one by re-hanging their cup with a white ribbon. They had died sober. I had attended rehab with him.
My roommate from that previous stay had relapsed and died. A black ribbon was on his cup.
I realized a had two paths I could take. If I drank, I would die. If I worked my program and stayed sober, I could have a fulfilling life and die sober.
What did it mean to return for Renewal Day, see your cup again, and realize how much your life had changed in one year?
It meant the world to me to return and celebrate with those who made I couldn't imagine my life changing as much as it had. Not externally, but internally. I was at peace with myself.
Today, when you look at your Valley Hope Cup, what does it symbolize for you?
My cup symbolizes the two paths I still have. To continue working my program, having a colorful, fulfilling life and dying sober, or failing to work my program, the darkness taking over, and dying drunk and alone.
I display my cup where I see it every day to remind myself of the two paths I can still take and to help others out of the darkness.
Is there anything else about your Valley Hope Cup or your recovery journey that you'd like to share?
I've been to Valley Hope 10 times over 20 years. I've had 10 years sober. I had to get over the idea that I lost something or I was a failure. As long as I keep getting back up and learning from my mistakes, I am not failing, I am just on my path. I keep my 24 coin to remind myself I am sober today, one day at a time.
People would say things like “be in the moment” and “one day at a time” and that never made any sense to me. I can honestly say that I’ve learned how to do those things today.
In the first six months of sobriety I have restored my relationships with my family and friends, fallen in love with my sober partner, thrived in my career and gotten plugged back in with communities I enjoyed before my addiction.
My passion for reading has turned into a wonderful opportunity of reading for a network that helps others. I am now two years into my volunteer work and absolutely love it!
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