Hello friends,

Thank you so much for clicking on. Some of you may be aware, but many of you may not, that over the past year I have been on an intense journey of recovery from addiction. This is something I have struggled with for years, occasionally with some success, but always ending in relapse. I lost my job last year due to how ill I had become both mentally and physically. Things really deteriorated after that.

Addiction is a disease. I didn't choose this, but I did have to choose recovery. I had to choose myself, and choose to survive. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but in May of last year, I saved my own life by stepping into a 12-step meeting. What has followed has been the most transformative period of my life. I have been sober 8 months, have built a community around myself, engage regularly in service work and fellowship, and am working my program like my life depends on it, because it does.

It is obviously very vulnerable for me to share this, but in asking my community for help, I wanted to be candid about my story. Addiction is an affliction that can affect anyone, anywhere, any time, and is so prevalent all around us. Yet it is still stigmatized and more often than not, people do not receive the compassionate, supportive help they need to recover. If you or someone you know is struggling, my heart, prayers and love are with you and them.

Financially, I have survived on the kindness of strangers. I am so indebted and grateful for my friends, family and community who have supported me. After a long job search, I was offered my dream job last week and I start at the end of January. Income is coming my way! But I've exhausted all means of paying my rent this month, and that's why I need your help. If I can get through this month and stay afloat until my first paycheck, I will be golden!

I have worked so hard to rebuild my life over the past 8 months, and things are finally starting to fall into place. Asking for help is honestly so uncomfortable and scary, but if I've learned anything this year it's that it's okay to be held by your community, and it's not a moral failing to ask for help. I wouldn't be here if I hadn't done that.

As they say, anything helps. If you can help, please donate anonymously unless you are comfortable sharing your identity. Please know that even though I can't pay it back, I WILL pay it forward by embodying kindness, service, compassion and generosity in all my affairs. Recovery has given me these principles as a design for living, and it is a gift beyond words. I am so grateful. And I'm so grateful for you, too.

So much love,

Patty