The Recovery Tree

OBHC has a unique way for individuals who have resolved to overcome addiction and/or manage their mental wellness to express their recovery hopes, wishes, dreams and/or thanks.  Inspired by Portland’s Wishing Tree, the Recovery Tree was launched at our Road to Recovery community event in September of 2023.  Attendees were invited to share their hopes, wishes, dreams and/or thanks for recovery from substance use and/or managing their mental wellness, and write them on leaf-shaped notes.  The notes were then hung by ribbons on a lighted artificial cherry blossom tree. 

The response was impressive.  After the event, the tree was moved into OBHC’s lobby, where clients and visitors continued adding notes to the tree.

The notes tell the stories of the people who have reached out for help from OBHC – some are hopeful, some are poignant, and many are grateful.  Below are some of the notes.  (Spelling, capitalization and punctuation are as written.  Embellishments are noted.  Names, dates, and initials have been withheld for privacy.)

Family, both born and chosen, were popular reasons for recovery:

·         My mom

·         Family   Faith   Laughing in the kitchen!

·         My Baby

·         For (name) my cat

Some notes had specific goals:

·         My Life on Life Terms

·         No drinking

·         Traveling the world and volunteering

Many were thankful:

·         Thankful for my life

·         Thankful for my sobriety

·         I’m thankful for having a second chance at life

Several were encouraging:

·         You can do this!  It’s not easy but you’re a fighter

·         Keep it Up!  [You’re] not alone!

·         Be True to YourSelf!  The Love & Strength Will Forever Follow!

Faith played an important role for many: 

·         Thanks God for helping my family Always

·         Jesus’ love

·         God bless the children

More than a few expressed gratitude for the help they found at OBHC:

·         Hard working OBHC staff supporting recovery and our community

·         Thank you to Everyone here at OBCH!

·         Thankful for getting help

And one said simply:  Peace.

The Recovery Tree will remain part of our ongoing outreach.  At times, it will travel to community events where others can write their notes to be added to the archive. And while the shape of the notes will change with the seasons and occasions, the heartfelt hopes, wishes, dreams and/or thanks for recovery will remain part of what OBHC does to help people heal.

If you’d like to view the latest collection of notes left on the tree, click here.