Hi this is George happy mother's Day to all the mothers!!!! When is the next bracelet making class?

Last night I had the honor of visiting the Neilson House, a halfway house in upstate New York where men transitioning from prison, jail, and rehab programs work toward rebuilding their lives. These men spend about nine months there before moving into their own apartments. I was invited to share my recovery story and make Keep Going bracelets together. We also created special date bracelets with their sobriety dates – a tangible reminder of their commitment. Society often tells us men don't enjoy creative activities like making jewelry, but I witnessed something beautiful unfold. These guys not only participated but genuinely enjoyed themselves! The room filled with laughter, stories, and authentic connection. I even reconnected with someone from my past recovery journey who might become a future business partner. Isn't it amazing how these experiences surprise us? I walked in expecting to give something, but left with my heart completely full. What started as walking into a room of strangers ended with a room full of new friends. These are the moments that remind me why this movement matters.

Who needs a "KEEP GOING" Bracelet? Message me with your address and what color you like and I will send you one. If you need a few to pass out also let me know and I will send you a few. If you have no idea what a keep going bracelet is let me share my story with you: On May 8, 2023, I found myself at a crossroads. As a mom of four who had lost her way in addiction, I woke up that morning knowing something had to change. I didn't make some grand plan that day - I simply made one promise to myself: today, I would keep going. During those early days of recovery, I needed something to keep my hands busy and my mind focused. I started making bracelets - not because I was particularly crafty, but because it gave me purpose during the moments when cravings and doubt were strongest. Each knot I tied became a tiny victory, a moment of choosing hope over darkness. I wore that first bracelet everywhere, a simple reminder on my wrist that I just needed to keep going, one moment at a time. People started asking about it, curious about its meaning. So I made more. As I shared these bracelets, something unexpected happened - stories began to flow. Stories of struggle, of hope, of people just trying to keep going through their own battles. The turning point came after I had made hundreds of bracelets. A friend invited me to the Jennifer House for a support meeting, and I brought my bracelets to share. The women's faces lit up as they chose their bracelets. The following week, I was practically mobbed at the door by the same women - they were actually happy to see me. This was new for someone who wasn't used to people being excited about my presence. These women had shared the bracelets with friends in their outpatient groups, and more were requested. That's when I realized this was something bigger than just passing bracelets from one person to another - we were passing along hope, tangible reminders that we're never alone in our struggles. What started with one bracelet has grown into a movement that distributes over 300 bracelets monthly. But more importantly, we've built a community around these simple reminders to keep going - a place where people gather daily to support each other, share victories and challenges, and remind each other that all we need to do is keep going.

Keep Going. This has helped me immensely this past week! I have just needed a glance down at my wrist and a pause to breathe.