Paula W.’s Story

• 2026: More Than a Cup

Which Valley Hope location did you attend?

Valley Hope of Parker

When is your sobriety birthday?

February 15, 2025

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 being really nervous about painting my cup. I'm a teacher and was known for making things cute in classes, but I'm not a confident painter. Eventually my cup became about me and my son, not about exactly how it looked. I put pictures of us on there, my favorite colors, and my mom's favorite color as the handle because she holds me up. I also remember seeing the cups in the back and feeling so sad for people who weren't able to return. It did motivate me. I ended up not making it back the first time, but I quickly went back to treatment within a few months. Luckily they still had my cup, so I added my new sobriety date to it. I tried to paint over the first one, but it didn't work! I took that as a sign to accept relapse as a part of my recovery journey.

What did it mean to return for Renewal Day, see your cup again, and realize how much your life had changed in one year?

I felt so proud, excited, and nervous for Renewal Day. I was incredibly excited to celebrate with my family and my son. My husband had passed away (partially due to alcoholism) a couple years before, and then my dad had passed away. I was incredibly sad that neither of them could be there, and then found out my mom and brother would not be coming either. That left me and my son. I almost invited other people to "fill the empty chairs". I opened my mind to the fact that I was sober, and I was coming back not just to celebrate myself and hopefully some friends...but to speak to others who I could still relate to so early in sobriety. I changed my focus, and with that in my mind ended up having the most incredible day of my life!

Today, when you look at your Valley Hope Cup, what does it symbolize for you?

I am reminded of what happened during the ceremony. While I sat on stage, nervous to speak, I looked at my son. I spoke about how proud of him I was, and how happy I was that he was there! He looked so incredibly proud of ME! I wasn't expecting it. When we left the stage I had a plate of cake in my hand and I rushed to my son. I was thinking how bored he must have been, how hungry he must be, he's probably going to be mad that I want to stay and talk to people...I tried to push the plate in his hands while I also tried to hug him. He was not at all interested in the cake. He hugged me so tightly, crying, saying he was proud of me. I started to cry while he hugged. It was the most beautiful, peaceful moment I had felt in so long.

Is there anything else about your Valley Hope Cup or your recovery journey that you'd like to share?

The Renewal Day could not have been more magical for me. Seeing Pati and other staff was so wonderful! The motivation I had to return to get my cup really was "a thing"! I didn't really think it would matter that much when I was making it, but after I left I did feel a strong desire to strive to be able to come back and get it in a year!