Walking in Recovery
Did you know — over 22,000,000 Americans are quietly living their lives, while steadfastly walking in recovery from opioid and other substance use disorders? September is National Recovery Month. A time to shine the spotlight on these individuals, also to educate regarding mental health services and substance use treatment. The hope — to remove the barrier of stigma that prevents people from seeking help. While celebrating these recovery achievements may look different in this pandemic year, it by no means lessens the significance of their successes.
The photo above was taken during the Walk for Recovery at the Minnesota State Capitol in 2019. Thousands gathered for this special day of recognition. The excitement and energy in the air was palpable. Here were some of my thoughts from that day a year ago...
It was a beautiful day to celebrate recovery at our State Capitol. I had the privilege of placing a sash on those living in recovery for 10 or more years. Called the Honor Tent — it really was an honor, to honor these individuals. 41 years...35 years...10.5 years…etc...all amazing accomplishments worthy of being acknowledged. Everyone has a story, but there are some people you’d dearly love to sit down and hear them tell it. To hear their first hand account. That’s how I felt today. I knew there was an amazing journey filled with drama, sorrow, hard-fought wisdom, and joy behind each sash. Maybe someday I can have my own ‘Come Sit Down and Tell Me Your Story’ tent. :):)
As people walked by, they would stop and inquire as to what we were doing. When they heard the ‘10 years in recovery’ part, many would laugh and say “oh, I wish” or “I’ll come back in 9 years.” Some began to open up with an air of fragility and sadness, “I’ve been off of heroin and meth for four months now. I don’t know if I’ll make it 10 years,” or “we’ve been on and off and on and off for 10 years,” or “I just relapsed.” With each share you could feel the weight of emotion behind their words. They are currently fighting in the trenches of their life journeys. Walking through the valley. I hope they will find their way to higher, more solid ground. I hope they will have the support and love of friends and family to help them stay strong in their journey. I pray that their one day of sobriety, will lead to one month, and then one year — until one day they find themselves in a tent at a Recovery Walk in Minnesota receiving a purple sash for 10 years in recovery. I hope I’m there to sash them.
This will always be a special memory for me. In 2020, the Walk for Recovery went virtual. Photos and reflections from those living in recovery or by those who love someone in recovery can be found here at Picture Recovery! Photo Gallery.
Honored with a sash or not, the quiet, persevering stories of these individuals living healthy, rewarding, albeit challenging lives in recovery — walking in recovery — are all worthy of acknowledgement. Whether new to this journey or celebrating 10 years and more, congratulations — you rock!! 💜