07/02/2024
Love hearing from Alumni that made the most of their stay and learned how to thrive in life. I thought I'd share her words....
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing this letter on behalf of my experience as a previous resident at Wings of Hope Sober Living. My hope is to shed some light on the life-changing experience I was lucky enough to have during my time there.
Before I get started, I want to state that I got sober on December 11th of 2013. I began my residency at Wings of Hope after significant research into sober living options and ended up staying for approximately eight months. I now have over six years of sobriety, and attribute much of my success to the wonderful community of women I encountered during my stay at Wings of Hope. My sobriety has kept me deeply involved in the recovery community here in South Orange County, and I have yet to come across a sober living that I would recommend with more esteem than this one. Kim O’Donnell takes great pride in her home, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Now, for some of my experience. My days staying in Wings of Hope Sober Living were some of the best of my sobriety. The house was kept clean and cozy by all women residing in the home. You could tell just by walking into the doors, that Kim cared, it was set up so complete and beautifully. It really felt like a home, something that was so important to me after years spent in active addiction. All the amenities we could possibly need were at our fingertips. And if things ran out or something broke, Kim made sure they were replaced and things were fixed immediately.
Deeper than all these superficial comforts though, was the incredible community of recovering women I was lucky enough to meet as a result of my time at Wings of Hope Sober Living. These inspiring ladies saved my life. We did everything together. They taught me how to live, how to look for work and show up for life. They showed me how to be responsible, how to be a friend, and that I, too, was worthy of love.
As an active drug and alcohol user for the majority of my life, most of my relationships were a transaction. What can I get from you, and what are you going to want from me in return? Exposure to women that wanted nothing more from me than friendship was something that had always been missing from my life. Experiencing the love and support that comes from a chosen family like this saved me.
More than anything, I will forever be grateful for the accountability that I experienced as a result of the friendships I cultivated while I lived at Wings of Hope Sober Living. I remember many times in my early sobriety when I questioned recovery, and my ability to succeed in it. Fear, sadness, guilt, shame, and a deep sense of unworthiness often clouded my vision, making escape feel like the only viable option. Time and time again, this community of women reminded me of my strength. They dragged me to meetings when I wanted to hide in my bed. They encouraged me to share my truth when I was terrified of being judged. And they held my hand and walked with me through every new and scary experience that was placed in my recovery path.
Today, my life is beautiful. I am surrounded by friends and family. I work in a field that I am passionate about and honored to be a part of. I live in an adorable apartment with my best friend, who happens to have also been my room-mate during my stay at Wings of Hope. I have over six years of sobriety, today. But I prefer to call it over six years of freedom, of hope… of life, and truly living it. And my heart overflows with gratitude. I do my best to put that gratitude into action by practicing what I learned at Wings of Hope and reaching out to new recovering women to offer them the same community and kindness that was shown to me during my stay there. Giving it back is where the magic is.
Thanks for listening.
Sincerely,
A
