We've been here a really long time. In fact I think we may have set some sort of PRC record! We came here in the middle of February just before the snowpocalypse hit and the 50 below temperatures and here we are in April and we are still here, and apparently so is the snow! 

 

Zoe, my “super senior”, I know Dad would've loved to be here today. But seeing he isn’t I want to read his favorite quote because I think it's very fitting. I know you've heard it a million times but maybe it'll have more meaning this time after completing this program. It's by Charles Swindoll:

 

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.  It will make or break a company... a church... a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes”

 

Zoe, I have seen so much improvement in you. Your positive attitude has everything to do with that. You have gotten up and made it to your classes and activities every day for the last 53 days. Before we came here, days were spent confined at home, curled up in bed and not attending school. But not anymore! You, my sweet girl, are functioning! You can outlast me on the elliptical now. You have built muscle and strength and can outlift me at the gym. You even survived our 2 mile walk when we got separated from our car wandering around Silver Lake in the freezing temperatures! You have  been eating and gaining weight. When you came here you were eating 500 calories a day. Sometimes less. Now you're eating 3000 and you've gained enough to be at your target weight! I am so proud of you! What I love most is seeing that sparkle back in your eyes. Your eyes shine when you smile and your smile is bigger and brighter now. I haven’t seen that in 18 months. Your incredible sense of humor and that silliness that I love so much is back. You have pushed through some really dark days. You have amazed and inspired me. Your strength is amazing! I had the pleasure of sitting through all the check out appointments yesterday with you and hearing everyone say that you are an inspiration to them and to the program. I couldn't be more proud to be your mom!

 

To all of you in the program, hang in there. I have seen some amazing things while here. You are all so strong, parents and kids. Just believe in the program and believe in yourselves. Both Zoe and I have made so many new friends in the two months that we have been here. That has been one of the biggest blessings of this program. The parental and peer support has been therapeutic! Support each other while you are here and keep in touch after you all go your separate ways. The friendships made here are so special!

 

To the staff, thank you! She’s functioning again. Dr. Sim was our angel here, helping Zoe out on a couple of levels. She tackled issues no one else was able to deal with before we came here and words can't begin to express our gratitude. To all the other staff, you have each played your own special part in this process and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you've done. Because of you and because of Zoe's hard work, I’ve got my daughter back.  

 

Dylan's mom read a quote from scripture the other day at his graduation and I hate to be redundant but I have held tight to this one through this almost 2 year journey. Zoe recently picked out her high school graduation announcements and ironically she chose one that has this on it without realizing just how near and dear to my heart it has become. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Zoe, this program has given you that hope for a bright future and an incredible life. Now let's go live it!!!!