Friends and family holiday party at Point After Club

         This entry will be about this evenings holiday party at the Point After Club which was absolutely amazing. It was a really beautiful night. The director of my program Tom Coppinger received an award for his dedication and leadership at the Point After Club for 30 years. Tom is the kind of person you can count on if you're having a hard time. I know thanks to him I have not allowed my illness define who I am. He has advocated for me day in and day out. I was so thrilled for him when I found out he was also an award recipient. He really is a gentle and kind man towards everybody. I know he hasn't let me down. I see what he does for everybody on a regular basis and it continues to amaze me.  I admire him for what he does. I know it wouldn't be easy for me if I were in his shoes. I respect him for what he does. He is a hero to everybody including me at the club. If not for him who knows what we all would be doing. I was cheering when his name was called. I am very proud to know him. I know everybody is.

        I have to say I'm proud to know all the staff. I gave a speech after my friend Jeanette and said how blessed I am to have an extended family in the staff. They all work hard for me and my fellow friends at the club. I know that I would be isolating at home if not for the staff at the club and their support. I hope everyone reads this and realizes just how amazing the people who work in the mental health field are. I continue to admire everyone in that field. The assistant director Charlotte has also been an amazing support to me as well. I can talk to her about anything and she is always there. In my mind she is another hero. But let's get to the point. All the staff at my program are hero's. I know I can count on Kerry for a good laugh. I have had some hard times lately and she always makes me smile. My advocate Nilda has also worked hard for me everyday. I pretty much am the luckiest kid alive to know all these people. John is another one who I can count on to talk to. He also makes me laugh. It hasn't been easy for me these past couple weeks but I really enjoyed myself tonight.

         I care about the staff at the club. I know it can be hard for me to get up and go on a regular basis but I always remember how loving and caring the staff are and I go. I am a productive part of the club and I know a lot of people say I'm an integral part of the club. I was the shy young woman when I went in almost 3 ears ago but now I've blossomed!! The club has helped me do that. The members are amazing too. I have made some really great friends in them and I owe a lot to them as well. I hope they all know they are my friends and that I owe a lot to them. We are one big family at the club. I think people would be amazed to see how far I've come. I owe that to the staff and the members at the club. If those who don't know about my program could meet them I think you would be just as amazed and proud of how far I've come from that shy young woman I was when I walked through the door. I remember the first person I met was Charlotte. I would have never guessed she would change my life forever. Then I met Tom and he changed my life too. I owe them a debt of gratitude. If you are reading this Tom, Charlotte, Gerry, Nilda, Kerry, and John and the rest of the staff thanks so much from the bottom of my heart for being there for me :)

      I will end this for now. I hope everyone reads this. My hope is that there are at least two or three comments on this tomorrow. I appreciate all my readers. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas. :)