By Tricia T.

Gratitude: An emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.

When I arrived at MARR, I had an attitude problem and ran from my emotions. Today, I can say that I have more gratitude than I know what to do with. I choose to maintain an ‘attitude of gratitude’ as much as possible by counting my blessings daily, being truly thankful for everything I have and recognizing how fortunate I am to be alive.

I honestly believe that I had no concept of the word gratitude before I began my journey of recovery. I could never look around and just be grateful for the life I had—‘more’ was never enough. I came to treatment broken, spiritually bankrupt and a shell of a person. Gratitude was nowhere to be found. I was lonely and miserable, and I hated the person I had become. The staff at the Women’s Recovery Center promised to love me until I could love myself, and they continue to love me to this day. I worked hard during my time in treatment and, slowly but surely, I started to understand the true meaning of gratitude. I am forever grateful to MARR for showing me love and teaching me how to love.

Recently, I participated in an email chain of gratitude lists and must say, I felt honored to have been included. I can hardly count my many blessings. I want for nothing. I have a beautiful little girl, Zoe, whom I love and who loves me just the same, a family that is supportive and loving, and true friends who are there to help with whatever I need. Most importantly, I like me. I am grateful to be an active participant in my life and I cherish the gift of recovery. I no longer run from my emotions and am even thankful to feel them (most of the time). My attitude has turned into one of gratitude because I got out of the way and let my Higher Power step in.

Thank you, MARR, for teaching me the tools to live life abundantly and for never giving up on me. It’s a gift that I’ll never fully repay, yet continuously pay forward.