Farrell was so excited to be able to celebrate its annual Christmas and holiday party this year. This is a long running tradition that the Farrell family was thrilled to get back on track after several covid years that forced it to be cancelled and scaled back. This years’ celebration, which occurred on the second Sunday of December, as it has for a couple of decades now, thankfully, got the long-standing tradition back on its feet. This event brings Farrells alumni together, along with the staff of Farrel, the current clients in the house and the recovery community at large, to celebrate the miracles of recovery, and the transformative power of belonging to a larger community. The event was full of the warm, positive, and empowering energy that exists within the walls of Farrell and that is cultivated by all those who have contributed to it over time. This year’s event was full of alumni who were excited that the event was back, to connect with each other and staff, and to discuss all the ways that their decision to get treatment helped them to achieve successful, connected and meaningful lives. The event was full of great food, fun, fellowship, and laughter. Our kitchen staff, led by Dale and helped by Stephanie, and other staff volunteers, did an amazing job! This gathering also provides our clinicians with the chance to see some of the fruits of their labor, Madison reflected with me that, “It was really nice to see a lot of the guys that were my clients doing so well, showing growth and having successful recoveries. It was also great to meet some of the outside facilities owners and representatives that we send our clients to upon completion. It felt really good to spend that time and feel united.” Madison captured the sentiments of all our clinicians.
The “12 Days of Christmas” song, another staple of this event, was performed by our current clients and was a smash hit as usual! This is a song created by our current clients that pokes fun at the staff and the Farrell experience in a creative, humorous, and well-meaning way and it was a total riot. We also conducted a large recovery meeting which was led by Shawn M and me. It was a total honor and privilege to be asked to do this. This long standing and powerful tradition brings together the alumni, our current clients, and members of the 12-step programs that continue to bring meetings to Farrell through their own service commitments. What transpired were emotional, inspirational and empowering testimonials shared by men whose lives had been changed from the inside out. Men who believed in themselves again, who discovered their passions, who had repaired their relationships with family and friends, whose lives were filled with happiness and purpose, who had seized their opportunity to chase the dreams and achieve the goals that once seemed impossible; and whose gratitude for Farrell, and for recovery, resonated through their heartfelt shares.
The party concludes with a massive group picture in front of Farrell that will be added to the collection of them from years past which line the shelves of Farrell. They serve as snapshots of hope, frameworks of true freedom, visions of recovery, and testaments to the healing power of belonging to a community. The Christmas party serves as a microcosm of the larger context of the mission that the people of Farrell strive to achieve on a daily basis, and the spirit that Christmas seeks to encapsulate – love, service to others and compassion: made visible. Farrell looks forward to carrying on with this tradition for many years to come, and to continue celebrating the recovery of all who walk through its doors and once called this place home.
