Hello, dear Kali, I am so happy to hear your voice! I think of you often as we were in that same place moving through the steps and amassing knowledge to move into our futures! ~smile~ My five year anniversary of finding Radiant Recovery is coming up in September.

I loved hearing about your life changes! I share many of the experiences that you have had regarding the joy of grandchildren, numerous family deaths and tragedies, and I even very clearly know what you have perfectly described, as recorded in my own journals: being brought to my knees and having my food and deep prayer to sustain me always! Oh, how this makes me smile! I have always known that I am not alone.

I stayed in the same place geographically, ~smile~ but made my life even more of what I wanted it to be! Sheets are hanging on the line in the backyard sun, next to the flowers and the tomatoes and the beans...college is winding down with an Associate's degree and AODA certification and lots of hands-on field experience under my belt...I take great joy in my adult children and grandchildren who think that my dear husband and I (and the menus and activities here) are awesome.

I travel a lot, with food that I love on the road and at home, and I know how to enjoy feeling safe and steady and filled with joy. I read and posted everyday (constantly? ~smile~)for more than two years when I started, as I had some huge layers of emotional healing that were presented to me as well. I never regret the time and energy spent on connecting here and on the lists, and in fact part of my healing has involved facing the deep, deep grief of missing people in the community as lists and relationships change. All this to say, Kali, that I am thrilled to touch base again, and I have continued to wish for you and all the others I have met here continued health and joy! ~smile~

Thanks so much for your anniversary update, Kali! Please give a greeting to your dear husband who I suspect has supported and enjoyed your recovery (and his collateral recovery?) as much as mine has! ~smile~

I also add my continued thanks to Kathleen and everyone here for the priceless lessons that I have learned about myself and the world since I first found SATRP on a library shelf when I desperately googled sugar addiction on a Sunday afternoon in 2007. Who knew how much it would change my life? I wouldn't be where I am in life without what I was blessed with here. My family would agree wholeheartedly, by the way. Healing seeps into every tiny area.

I’m off to hang my latest quilt on the line. When my granddaughter was helping me to lay it on our bed for the first time she spread herself on it luxuriously and remarked, “Grandma, it's like swimming in color!” That’s just one of the many joys of my *living* in color! ~smile~

Oh yeah, favorite breakfast. Salmon, steel-cut oats, blueberries and almonds for crunch.
Best to all,
Susan S

: Hello to some old friends I see are
: back and new ones that are just
: beginning.
: I haven't been very active on the
: on-line community since the step
: seven list was adjusted, but every
: now and then I check the forum to
: see what's going on.

: Each year as I pass an anniversary I
: think I should write in and give
: an update.
: Well this year I finally will.

: I have stayed steady with the food
: since the day I started, as best I
: could under the circumstances.
: I have had some situations beyond my
: control, but was always eager to
: get back to my program.

: I am ever grateful to Kathleen and
: this community for the support to
: do so.
: I am so glad I don't have to be
: hungry anymore

: I have had grand children born-
: amazing joy;
: as well as deaths and family
: tragedies that have brought me to
: my knees, my food and deep prayer
: always sustained me.

: I have moved to a new state with my
: husband and started a new job.
: How exciting at my age .
: This would not have been possible
: with out the clear mind of
: radiance.
: Our new place is an old country farm
: house we have been working on for
: several years.
: We have a large mature pear tree and
: several mature grape vines, lots
: of flowers and humming birds.

: The 10-15 lbs I gained while getting
: steady has disappeared.

: I have incorporated juicing and raw
: food into my program.
: I love the variety and flavors.
: I grow my own wheat grass and sprouts
:

: My favorite breakfast these days is
: turkey sausage, some baked potato,
: and 2 eggs, with a shake on the
: side made of unsweetened almond
: milk and chocolate rice protein
: powder.

: If you are just starting out- don't
: give up, keep eating breakfast and
: coming back here to post and read
: every ones responses.
: I read and posted every day for a
: year when I started.

: I appreciate those of you that were
: here when I started and are still
: giving that kind, direct guidance
: to all.

: Kali