Sally Reames, CHC Executive Director, reflects upon the miracle of recovery and the impact of a simple gift.
A few weeks ago, a group of fantastic volunteers were cooking and serving dinner to a gathering of Jim Gilmore Jr. Community Healing Center clients on a Sunday evening. The menu was terrific: Jim’s barbecued chicken, Lucy’s best ever potato salad, Betsy’s corn muffins, and oh that Bambi’s cheesecake. Thank you’s (and second helpings!) were abundant, and everyone was enjoying the company, the meal, and the extra serving of “hope”.
One gentleman touched my arm and asked if I remembered him? “Not exactly” I said, but gosh you look familiar.... He said that on Dec. 25, 2008 my family and I had served him Christmas morning breakfast and he had never forgotten the warmth of that morning, from the REAL maple syrup in little decorative bottles, to the Belgian Waffles and sausage. He reminded me that everyone who was there that morning had received a wrapped gift as well. His was a soft blue blanket, which he carried with him on his return to treatment this fall, 2010. He had suffered more grief and family loss after his first Gilmore Treatment episode, and struggled with alcoholism for another year. But that soft blue blanket, the maple syrup, and the volunteers all sent him the message that he was of value, we cared, and the miracle of recovery was there for him.
His gratitude and humility were very powerful.
To all of you who give, help, and guide our work, thank you for providing that soft blue blanket of hope.
In Gratitude,
Sally Reames, Executive Director
Community Healing Centers
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