This past Thursday, a few of us got together at Roma, in East Hartford to send 2 girls off on their trips South to warmer weather. As always, Miss Emelia did a wonderful job feeding us, and as always, we had a wonderful time chit-chatting while we ate our meat crust pizza!
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| One of Emelia's meat crust creations |
One thing that I have learned while on this journey is how to surround myself with people that make me feel good. I mean, who wants to be around depressed people, especially while we are finishing out a gloomy winter? These ladies do it for me. Everyone brings laughter, wonderful stories, smiles, etc etc and it rubs off on those who are around them.
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| Jennifer and Jill |
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| Karen and Theresa |
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| Sandy and Linda |
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| Susan and Chris |
It is also empowering watching all of
us come out of our shells, and learning how to be comfortable in our
"new/old skin". The cocoon is slowly releasing each and every one of us,
and we are in the thick of relearning who we are. We have all stayed
the course, accepting each challenge, and embracing each obstacle as it
comes, passing each "test" as an achievement.
Nights out like this, surrounded by those who know
exactly what each is going through, has gone through, or who will soon be going through is very empowering. Listening to goals and challenges is always interesting ("I am going to go one more month and see where I am", "slow and steady wins the race","I am looking forward to adding fruit back in"). Knowing these women all know what I am talking about, speaking about our fears ("I don't know if I will ever be able to eat popcorn", "I am so afraid of gaining weight", "I am scared but know it is right having surgery"), is not only fun, but, I walk away knowing I am not alone. It is a way of making sure everything is ok, internally and externally!
It is neat putting names, faces and voices together! We are all so happy to see each other, hug each other, listen to each other, and eat good food, knowing that there is no judging or questioning, all the while being ourselves.
I hear Julie in my head again, louder and "refreshed" after I have been around other "Key People". Adding more support around me has only fueled me to continue on this journey. Not only does it make it easier, it has made it way more fun!
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| Emelia with "the gang" Thank you again! |
I can't wait until our next get-together! I love you all! Thanks for another wonderful evening out!
Great post Jennifer! Yes, it's great gathering with like-minded people to share our stories. I love seeing how everyone has changed physically and it's wonderful to exchange stories. Those of you who are at goal are as inspiring as my friends who are, like me, half-way there! We rock!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your continue support and for sharing yourselves with me this way.
I love all the photos too!
To the rest of you out there, next time you go to a session with Julie, before the group starts, connect with at least one person and exchange email or phone numbers, so you can support one another. Get together every few months to exchange stories too. As Jennifer writes, it's powerful to be around other "keys."
Thanks Jennifer. Great to hear your voice on the blog again!
I couldn't have said it better!!!! Thank you to all these ladies whose support and encouragement make an already easy program even easier!!!!! Love you all!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBTW, here's my version of this pizza:
ReplyDeletehttp://friendofjulie.blogspot.com/2012/01/meat-crust-pizza.html