Any advice or inspiration ?
 

IN THREE WEEKS I GO TO MY 24 YR. OLD SON'S COMMENCEMENT FROM HIS ONE YEAR LONG REHAB !!!!!! There will be a formal dinner and ceremony.

I have the privilege of delivering a speech to the staff, other inpatients and most importantly my son.

This is the day I prayed for and it is here. Hallelujah !!!!!!!!!!

Today my son is sober, he has a 6 month outpatient transition plan, we have a relationship, he is willingly being treated for bipolar + depression.
Today life is good for both of us because we've both done a lot of recovery work.
Just a year ago, this did not seem possible...I always had hope but no expectation.

Any inspiration you can send to inspire me as I think through my speech will be appreciated.

my only comment is CONGRATULATIONS to both of you!!!!!!!

I think you should start your letter from what is was like last year and what has changed. This is the kind of story we love to hear, I am so happy for you and your son!
((((Tears of joy))))

First of all, WOW!! That is fantastic!!

I agree with MyJoey..maybe some kind of comparison of how you felt, a year ago, compared to how you feel today?

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

What a wonderful post - congrats to both of you!!
Your posts are inspirational, so I know whatever you say will come from your heart and have a lasting impact. Hugs

IMO, I think I would focus on just all the positives that have come from his sobriety.


Wow, tell him congratulations for me!
That is awesome, 1 year!!!!

Awesome!!!

SS, you have a way with words that produce such a calming effect. My advice is to speak from your heart~ just as you do here and it will be beautiful and touching, guaranteed.

:You_Rock_ and so does your son!!!!

Congratulations to you and your son.

I've only sat on the other side and heard parents speak when their kids graduated. It was always so meaningful to us as parents because as you well know at times you just loose hope that they will ever get through the program. The most touching and helpful were those that described their fears as a parent in the beginning (which is how we all felt) and then praised their child for doing the hard work and fighting the battle (which is something we all dream of being able to say). Its good for the kids to finally hear their parents being proud of them and hopeful for their futures. Some stand up and tell their stories, some write letters to their child, some write poetry, some ad lib - but they all speak from the heart. Why dont you just sit down and randomly write out how you feel right now and then let it take you where your words do.

I'd love to hear what you write when you're done. It is so helpful to see that there is hope.

Congratulations! Enjoy the day and cherish making the new memory!

Hugs, HG

What great news...and a great choice in speakers.
Enjoy the moment :)

Congratulations .. such wonderful news - one every parent would like to share.
I would speak only positives and what your new relationship with him means to you.
His graduation has given you the ability to hope and dream for his success in life.
This is what every parent wishes for their children -- that peaceful, easy feeling -
worth so much when it is not your reality.
Savour the Joy..

I sent this recently to a dear friend:

A story about a boat

Imagine yourself in a small row boat. With you in the boat are your loved ones, and all you consider dear. The boat is strong and steady.

Then unexpectedly one of those on the boat begins to stir, and rock, and eventually dives overboard. This person struggles and kicks until exhausted but no effort made seems to bring them closer to safety.

So you begin to reach and stretch risking everyone in the boat. The boat rocks dangerously, it begins taking water, but still you reach further. Your loved one is not reaching back, they have turned their back, they are moving away.

You see the fear on the faces of those in the boat with you. You feel your own fear and for the first time realize that you and the others are in very serious danger. You feel helpless.

It is then you see the life preserver and throw it as hard and far as you can. You hold on dearly to those you can help, knowing you’ve done all that is possible for your loved one in trouble. You settle back in the boat, and you pray like you’ve never prayed before.

You pray that they will take the help. You pray that they will hold on tight and you pray that they begin to swim. And in their own time they do.

Because before that, they didn’t know they could.

((SS))

Congratulations to you and your son! I have no advice on your speech. You write beautifully and clearly here. Speaking from your heart, I'm sure you can't go wrong!

OH ...my... God !
I am sitting here at work with tears in my eyes.
The support, camaraderie & insights you share are truly inspiring!!!!
I am bursting with gratitude for so much, including all of you who have shared
the highs and lows of my journey the past couple of years; as I have shared in yours.
I listen and I learn.

Dare to dream.
My son calls ea. Sunday so I asked him two weeks ago if he could imagine a
certain possibliity, if he could dream that big for himself.
He said, "Not yet Mom."
He has a plan for 6 mos. aftercare and he has just completed a yr. of rehab.
I have to remind myself to stay in the NOW because these really are Huge
dreams come true that he dared to dream.

Dare to dream
 

I Love the boat story...quite the metaphor. That is exactly what the last few yrs. felt like.

How wonderful to be able to feel free of addiction and have the honor of speaking at your sons graduation. Its a great place to be and the calmness most make you feel thrilled with the thought of getting on with life and watching your son grow to the man you had thought he would be all along. Smiles, Bonnie

SS -

You know what? You always come up with the most wise, eloquent words for me. I KNOW you'll say just the right thing. I'm glad your son is shining through and that addiction is out of the picture. You are a very good person and I know that your son will be just as proud of you at his graduation as you are of him. Hugs to you!

I think you should say the serenity prayer and just go with the flow. What's meant to come out will.

Pass my love and best wishes onto your son - you must be so proud and I was even nearly welling up with tears as I read your post. It's amazing it really is!

I knew I could depend you.
I am feelin' it. I am inspired.