Starlite Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Alumni
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Summer 2008 Newsletter
Reunion Re-Cap
Another reunion has come and gone, but there are quite a few unforgettable memories.
We know how important this event is for our alumni and wanted nothing more than for you to have another healing experience on the Starlite grounds. Our Friday night event was made extra special because of you guys. The attendance was amazing! You can never go wrong with good stories and good food.
Saturday started off with showers and solemn faces, but the skies were blue as soon as the music began. The miracles never cease! Being my first time to be involved with the Starlite Reunion, I found it much more rewarding to let the day take on a life of its own. As our book says, “when we try to arrange the lights, the ballet, and the scenery, the show does not come off very well.” God had a major part in providing us with an amazing weekend.
Daniel G. and his magic was a great addition to the fun. Again, I want to thank Shannon C. for traveling down here to Texas to share her experience, strength, and hope. As always, Kirk fed the spiritual fire with his energy and wisdom that reaches deep within us all. We all had a great time at the volleyball tournament, which was only fitting as the alumni team won this year.
I hope that if you did not make it this year, please plan on getting your hotel reservations soon, as they fill up fast. We hope to see you all next year!!!!
Matt Walden
Alumni Director
Director's Corner
Warmest wishes to our Starlite Ambassadors! It is an honor to inform you that we are actively planning enhanced services for all of our patients and alumni. We are in the process of developing a “mindfulness” program, which will encompass the reliance upon the 12 step process and augment alternative paths to accessing a Higher Power. Mark your calendars for our first annual RENEWAL WEEKEND in early Fall. This is a chance to bring former patients to Kerrville for a clinically rich revitalization process. Dr. Samford, Dr. Gee, Dr. Haberstroh, and Dean Fitch will be guiding us through this journey. Also, we are excited to announce the expansion of The Summit House Adolescent Program. In early 2009, we will be building a 30 bed facility on site to house and treat our adolescent population.
From the Outside Looking In
What’s the reunion like from the perspective of someone who hasn’t gone to treatment at Starlite? As an employee, I am always at the annual Alumni Reunion, usually as a silent participator. This year was my fourth year to drive in from Houston and brave the heat to listen to the speakers, watch the camaraderie amongst alums, and enjoy the fellowship that is Starlite Recovery Center. But this year was different. I was met with an unexpected flood of emotional connection. I volunteered to assist with the Friday night social event. The room filled quickly with people from all over the state, coming to see old friends and start the weekend off with a bit of sharing. As I listened intently to each story that was shared, my eyes filled with tears, and my heartfelt a n overwhelming feeling of gratefulness. Not only am I grateful for the road to recovery that Starlite sets each of you on, but I feel very grateful and almost honored to be able to be a part of the emotional experience that was shared throughout the weekend. For the first time, I attended the speaker/birthday count down meeting that was held Saturday evening. As the years were counted down, I was able to raise my hand and take my place among those living in a world of recovery. With God’s help, I am closing in on three years and wanted to thank all of you who shared your stories. I can honestly say that through the experiences that I had at the Alumni Reunion, my life was changed. Thanks to all of you.
Rosemary Reed
Business Development Representative
Miracle Among Us
I entered Starlite on May 22, 2006 (my 22nd birthday to be exact.) I entered for an addiction to meth that I had been struggling with for a couple of years. My life at that point was so sad and empty. I had a 4 year old daughter who needed me more than anything else and everyone around me saw that I was not present mind or body. My family planned an intervention and I left for Center Point that next morning. I will never forget the feeling of being dropped off in the middle of nowhere feeling like a complete failure to my daughter, myself, and my family. The memories of the 5 hour drive there are etched forever into my mind. I learned so much about myself while at Starlite. I had never been away from my mother and I had my daughter when I was 17, so learning how to be independent was something I never thought possible. In those 30 days, I learned how to be alone with myself and think for myself. While in Starlite, I met my now husband Brandan. He too had entered Starlite for meth addiction. I cannot imagine not having that someone who knows what I have been through and the painful struggle I never want to endure again. My life has changed in ways that I could never imagine. I got served with papers while in Starlite and had a year long custody battle for my daughter when I got back home. My daughter is part of me and I knew that I had to give her the mother that she deserved. I won full custody of my daughter back in August of 08’. I have my moments of the shame and guilt of what I put her through, but I learned at Starlite that God has forgiven me so it’s okay to forgive myself. I truly feel blessed that I was able to overcome this in her young life and start a new with her. I left Center Point in June of 06’ and in October of 06’ started working for the county in which I live in at our Courthouse. I have such a respectable job. Now while at work, I see the people I used to know coming to court for their felony drug charges. My husband will be taking the civil service test to become a police officer July 17th. We are having a baby girl in October of this year. We ask ourselves on a daily basis what we could have done so great for God to bless us the way he has in the last two years. We have been clean for 2 years now. I want to thank you guys for changing my life. No other birthday will ever compare to my 22nd.
Courtney K.
Alumni 2006
LAST PAPER NEWSLETTER!!!
Over the years, we have wrestled with the idea of moving to a strictly electronic newsletter. We have arrived!!! As many of you know, we want to impact as many lives as possible and the more consistent we can be with our newsletter, the more effective our message. If we do not have your email address and you would like to be added to our contact list, please email the address below and we will make sure you get the bi-weekly updates from our Alumni Director and the quarterly newsletter. Thank you for your continued support.
