Reflections of my past life as an intern therapist.

As this day ends, so does a chapter in my life. I was totally overwhelmed today and touched by the kindness of my co-workers at Heritage Behavioral Health Center as it was my last day. As I finished up the longest year and a half of my life as an Intern Therapist, I received much encouragement and love from upper management from fellow therapists and social workers, and also from those ladies at the front desk we call Support Staff! I have made new friends and made new connections. I have invested and been invested into. Outside of the lunches that co-workers have so graciously provided for me throughout the week from Irish Pub's for a Rueben to BBQ and fixings in the group room. I will miss those in rehab who made my group experience the icing on the cake 3 days a week. I was humbled, taught and accepted by individuals who have and still are rising above their addictions and continuing their battle as they slay the dragon one step and one day at a time! I will miss my weekly trip down to the Lincoln Square Lounge every Friday at 1:00p.m. for the best Gyros in Decatur, Il. I will miss the conversations and the company that was kept through one of the most stressful years of my life. I will miss all the free counseling which is what happens when all your friends are counselors! As I end this post, I will miss the investments that I was privelidged to make each day with so many people that I would never have had the chance to meet if I stayed behind my desk at the church as a pastor. I stepped out in faith and God made it so worth my while to journey down the road of obtaining a Masters in Community Counseling. I leave you with a poem that was written for me today by an amazing co-worker:

JOE-
You are the man with the plan.
You try to take people by the hand...
hoping they'll try harder and
maybe take their walk to the promised land...
instead of giving up and finding that they've
ran down the wrong path.
You tell us funny stories and make us laugh,
You pray for us and we pray for you.
Have a blessed future