I'm on the Jenny "Crack" diet.

Today we went to work at the Woman's center affiliated with the St. Francis Inn. Sister Xavier drove us to the house on Kensington Ave where women can come and be in the company of those in the same situation as themselves. They discuss their recovery from drug addictions, their personal struggles, and listen to and joke with each other.  To sum up my experience, here is a letter I would write to one woman there:

Dear Shauna,

    I am so proud of you for overcoming the addictions that you have had.  I can't even break small habits like biting my nails, let alone the addictive grips of drugs such as crack. How strong you must be. I can't even fathom the struggles faced by you day in and day out. It's one thing to break an addiction and be able to seperate yourself from what you were addicted to, but you live in an area where you could find it everywhere you go. 

     This week we came to try and help out. But how can I help someone who has surpassed what I could see myself doing myself? You have taken yourself out of the depths of poverty and into your personally bought and furnished apartment. Here you will be able to provide a life for your daughter where she can live safe and secure. You care for her as much as my mother cares for me and for this reason I know that your daughter is in great hands. 

    I know you joked around about your size and how you have gained so much weight since you have gone off of the Jenny "crack" diet, but I think that given the reasoning for your gaining weight, you are your most beautiful self now.

In the words posted on the wall, keep on keeping on.

                                                                                               Take care, 

                                                                                               Sonia 

P.s. Thanks for the dancing lessons! I will keep this song in mind for future dance parties: