An Interview of Geri from Geri’s Recovery Music

Could you tell us a little about your recovery story?

I'm the eldest of four children and I was born in British Columbia, Canada. My father, a retired Baptist minister, is American and my mother, a homemaker, is Canadian. I was raised in a perfectionist’s household with strict religious rules and over-protection. At the age of eight my best little girlfriend was murdered and to cope with this and other stresses, I developed an eating disorder at the age of nine.

I married young at 18 to escape my oppressive family and found myself in a mentally controlling and physically abusive nightmare. I divorced 12 years later with 2 sons in tow. I remarried and fortunately started therapy with my new husband years later.

So, you coped via a food addiction ...

Yes. I believe that compulsive overeating and other related eating disorders are progressive and so in the past few years this “disease” started to exact a heavy toll. I was my most overweight, depressed and spiritually adrift. I simply couldn’t do it alone anymore so I reached out for help to a 12 step program for overeating and my miracle started to happen.

That is some history. How did your "recovery music" come about?

Music was always a big part of my family. I was coaxed onstage to sing when I was preschool age and found I loved to perform. As a teen I started to write my own songs and share at church coffee houses. I found writing to be a natural outlet for my thoughts and feelings. I did two albums in 1980 and 1990 that were moderately successful and got some airplay in the US and overseas. I had pretty much retired my dream of doing any more records when in the first month of my 12-step group my creativity was reborn. This time I wasn’t caring what a record company would think of my age and body size. I wrote for me -- and my CD Soulful Journey was born.

Could you tell us about one of your songs and how it came about?

Serenity was the first song I wrote after one month in a 12-step recovery group for my eating disorder . It is my favorite of all time because it was written at a time when I was so open to change. The Twelve Steps were completely new to me and what struck me the most was how important it was to surrender to a Higher Power for help. It meant giving up my own potentially destructive will and trusting my Higher Power to help me overcome my weaknesses. It marked the beginning of my journey, taking small steps each day. “IT'S TIME TO FACE MY FEELINGS • IT'S TIME TO FACE MY FEARS • TO WALK ON THROUGH THE FIRE • AND TAKE THE TIME FOR TEARS • I KNOW THAT PEACE WILL BE THERE • RIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE • AND PAIN WILL WASH FROM MY HEART • WITH THE TEARS I CRY...”

(Words & music by Geri. Copyright ?1995 Geri's Music /SOCAN. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission.)

Have you sung at any recovery events?

As I started to write songs I would call up my sponsor and sing them over the phone. She encouraged me to share them with others. I was soon asked to sing at Marathons and share my recovery interspersed with my songs to illustrate my journey through working the 12 steps . I also started doing weekend retreats as the entertainment on Saturday nights.

Why did you publish a CD of recovery oriented music?

I recorded songs from good moments of inspiration and abstinence over a four year period. As I drove to work in my car and listened to cassettes of them, they lovingly gave back to me experience, strength, and hope - especially during stressful situations when I might have been tempted to turn away from my Higher Power. My songs brought back the "big picture" to me, and I found myself trusting my HP to give me strength again. I soon began to realize that if my music helped me, maybe it could help others, too. I started sharing my story and singing. I’ve never felt more blessed and alive in my life as when I sing. It continues to be the greatest of joys.

Any last words?

Thank you Dr. Irene for inviting me to share. I just want to encourage those of you who struggle with stress to take time for yourself and be creative. Journal how you feel. Who knows, it might turn into a song!

Who knows! Thank you Geri!
- Dr. Irene of Dr. Irene’s Verbal Abuse Site