Well, it certainly has been a while.
All is well here in the Stephens household. My oldest sister, Angela, was here for about 3 months, and she left back to California in mid January. We definitely miss having her. She was such a great help and comfort to me and Bela while Chris is deployed.
While she was here, in support of her eating disorder recovery, I did not exercise or have health food in the house. This was agreed upon, before her visit, between me and her therapists, as these types of things can trigger someone so new in their recovery.
Alot of people do not understand this rationale, and its okay because you don’t have to. Ever since 1992, I’ve been living with a sister who has had anorexia. I have visited her in more than 19 hospitals, I’ve seen her at 50 lbs, I’ve seen her so close to death, so many times.
Before she entered this treatment center, she was very sick. So sick that she passed out in the middle of the supermarket, and had to be rushed to the hospital. Where once again, she was told that she would die. We quickly found a place that would take her in, a treatment center vs a crappy medical hospital program, and flew her out before she would be court forced into the local hospital.
And for 2 years, she was at an amazing place that would not let her go. Would not let her quit. And because of their dedication and commitment to her, she is not at the highest part of her recovery. I have never in my life, seen her so well, so healthy, so beautiful!
So, I made the decision to go along with her treatment facility rules of: no health food or diet food in the home, no talking about diet or exercise, and no exercising around her.
I am SO glad that I made this sacrifice for only 3 months. During these 3 months, I got to know my real sister. Outside of her disease. One that I haven’t known, talked with, played with, since I was 8 years old.
It was such a joyous and fleeting moment of my life, but I am thankful for every single moment of it.
Now, Angela has been given a wonderful employment opportunity by the same treatment center that has brought her to this place in her recovery. I have hope and faith that she will continue to live in recovery and live a very happy and full life.
My dearest older sister. We love her SO much!
AliciaKristina.com 