An anxious start to the morning as I was getting ready for the day and leaving early for the Castle Reunion. A feeling of the unknown, how other fellows have been getting on in recovery and what the day will hold.
Arriving at the Castle and taking the short journey up the main drive was a surreal feeling. Many happy memories have been made here for me.
We arrived early and when walking through the main door, it felt like I had arrived home. It was a strange but welcoming feeling, as after spending 6 1/2 weeks here, you certainly get to know every nook and cranny. After registering, it was time to mingle and find my old fellows. I met my old therapist and had a very nice catch-up, I will stay in contact with this therapist and update them on my progress. It was also lovely to meet many staff who helped me in recovery and for them to see how different I am now. The new and healthy me.
The weather started off well with sunshine but then progressively turned into a downpour of rain, but this did not dampen spirits. The day was filled with speeches, a nice lunch, pictures, revisiting memories and catching up with fellows new and old on their recovery journeys.
It was moving and uplifting to hear the speaker shares, and stories from the fellows I have spent time with within the castle, how their recovery was going, and how their lives have changed like mine, due to being in this magical place.
I had a catch-up with one fellow who came into the castle in my last few weeks, who I was a buddy too. The change in this person was awe-inspiring, the dramatic difference in this fellow was very touching. They only have a few weeks left, but seeing their progress and the person they are now, filled me with the hope that they will succeed in recovery out of the bubble. The castle certainly is a magical place!
Overall, many new memories have been made today, that I will never forget. With over 350 people attending, the recovery work the Castle has provided over the last 35 years is very inspirational.
When we got back home, we had a mini evening reflection of the day, which also made us think about life before rehab. The things that happened when you got drunk; always thinking about the next drink, being sick, wetting yourself, throwing away towels and linen, arguing with people, making assumptions, talking and texting nonsense, and dissociating from yourself from family and friends. None of these things happens to any of us anymore, and we are all thankful for the castle and our fellows for helping guide us in recovery and creating a new path towards a new life, a life of sobriety.
What an amazing and inspiring day! What will next week hold for us in creating more memories?
Gratitude – I am grateful today for a new life of sobriety, the castle for guiding me on the path of sobriety, the new friendships I have built, meeting up with fellows and hearing about their progress, putting some feelings to rest of feeling left out and not overthinking whilst enjoying the magical day.
