It’s been quite the year at I Love Recovery Café. We celebrated our one year Anniversary in September and The Café has developed into something I wasn’t quite expecting. Actually, I didn’t have expectations as such, it was a leap of faith and a turn of fate – you might say. But looking back over the site on this Winter Solstice day, I’m overwhelmed by the quality of work and the talent and dedication of each and every one of our contributors.
Let me share some of our highlights with you!
In one year we managed to bring you just over 240 submissions from 80 different contributors. These came in the form of essays, poetry, music and art. The subjects of these submissions spanned a wide range of topics including, nutrition, yoga, mental health, positive thinking, personal stories, professional advice from experts and in depth book reviews……the list is endless. Our creative writers shared their stories of triumph and failure, love and loss, dreams and aspirations and inspired us with their talent.
We collaborated with Paul from Buzzkill pod on a youtube video about gender differences in recovery (check his website here), Aaron Perry in a spoken word piece (check his website here), Since Right Now Podcast where we talked about all things recovery (website here) and Liv from Liv’s recovery kitchen who has exceptional interview skills (website here).
I even got to interview some pretty famous guys (no pressure!) such as Ritchie Supa, song writer and tour member of Aerosmith, about his recovery album “Enemy”, Bill Borchert screen writer of the films “My name is Bill W.” and “When Love Is Not Enough” and Ricky Byrd band member of Joan and the Jetts, Hall of fame inductee and founder of Clean Getaway Foundation.
I even ventured into the world of podcasting (still trying to overcome the fear), where I spoke to Jennifer Matesa about her new book, and Dawn Clancy from Growing Up Chaotic…to name two.
I want to make a special mention of two contributors who we lost this year. May you rest in peace John and Cleve. You both touched the lives of many deeply and compassionately. Thank you for your contribution to our world.
I mentioned the above as highlights of the year, but every time I get a submission of work from someone it touches me deeply…..and I know they touch our readers deeply too. There’s nothing more important as human beings than to connect to each other. And creativity, be it in the form of words, paint or semiquavers, are some of the most effective ways to reach out empathically and compassionately and embrace our fellow humans in an embrace of inclusion and understanding.
On a personal note, this year has been a sequence of amazing highs and low, lows and it’s my job at I Love Recovery Café that’s kept me going. It is a dream come true. It’s also hard work, obsession, frustration, tears, laughter, self-doubt, joy and everything in between. But the real heros are our contributors, who have all been touched in some way by addiction and mental health issues. I Love Recovery Café is overflowing with bravery……and that is what will save the world.
Thank you…..all of you…..who choose to contribute and read I Love Recovery Café.
Happy Christmas, Yule, Solstice, Hanukkah – however you celebrate this time of year. Bravo for making it this far!
15 Comments
Bravo to you for all the hard work you’ve done and getting through this year as gracefully as you make it look!
Thank you so much Jess. Believe me, if you saw me most days grace is not what would come to your mind lol. It’s been a pleasure to work with you this year. I hope we can continue.
I agree with Jessica! Bravo and deep bows to you for continuing to provide a whole-some and classy platform for us to reveal the messiness of life and the splendor of recovery / reintegration. I am charmed to be part of the family and I wish you the very best in an uplifting and uplifted 2017.- Kyczy
Thank you so much Kyczy. I learn so much from you. Your contributions to The Cafe are part of it’s continued success and lifes blood.
Happy solstice! Proud to have been a part of your year. AndX
You’ve been a big part Andy. Love your work!
You amaze me every day woman….you are MY hero!!!!
Oh geez lady! Likewise. Your work and study ethic blows my mind. Thank you for your endless dedication and flawless work this year Jackie xo
Thanks Nicky for all your work, time and energy putting all this together. It is so great to have been part of this journey with you! All the best in the coming year. Merry Christmas~ Happy Healthy New Year!!!
Thanks Kathleen. Thank you for your inspiring contributions to The Cafe. Wishing you the best also.
I love this site. It inspires me each time I log on to take one more step forward, keep trying, and smile at one more person. We all are going through something in this world and this site makes this world a better place! Thank you Nicky! Bravo on the year! Many more GREAT years to come!
Thank you Alana
Bravo Nicky!
You are living into, up to and even beyond your vision. You courageously tackle new endeavors even if they make you shudder and shake and you show us how to stretch our own y wings . You continue to inspire and demonstrate what growth looks like in all its vulnerability ,rawness, glimmer and shine. Happy Endings Joyful Beginnings! Xoxo
It’s been a pleasure to serve your vision. tsgoyna
Congratulations Nicky!
You are living into, up to and even beyond your vision. You courageously tackle new endeavors even if they make you shudder and shake and you show us how to stretch our own y wings . You continue to inspire and demonstrate what growth looks like in all its vulnerability ,rawness, glimmer and shine. Happy Endings Joyful Beginnings! Xoxo
It’s been a pleasure to serve your vision. tsgoyna
Thanks so much Tsgoyna.