Journal December 2025 Release - Flipbook - Page 26
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David: JOANNA AND PIETER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING FOR ME TO SEE THE
'NATURE' OF AN ENDURING LOVE??? I AM VERY INTERESTED IN SUCH
'LOVES'. ARE YOU?
Jo:
So, I've discharged the relationship from therapy; there is really nothing to
rescue. I think we can all learn a lot from their relationship as they have
been through deep waters together and have still retained love, respect,
and caring for one another. Their kids are great. And they are good friends.
It was not always plain sailing. There were times when Joanna was struggling to
find meaning and overcome invitations from self-harm and self-hatred. This letter
demonstrates Joanna’s will to take back her life despite her struggle. She started
noticing the small changes that she was able to make and detailed these changes
because suddenly she realised how important the glimmers of hope are in the
face of the overwhelming darkness.
A long, slow miracle in the making
I’m afraid I cannot find the exact date of this email, but I felt I needed to include it
as part of our process.
Joanna: Thanks ahead for bearing with this long letter and sharing with me the
long, slow miracle of recovery from Anorexia and Self-Destruction.
Jo:
Joanna, it is a privilege to witness your long, slow miracle of recovery from
Anorexia and Self-Destruction.
Joanna: I am struggling. So please excuse me if I ramble on a bit incoherently here
and there. I am showing signs of distress: anxiety, depression. I've also got a
flu virus: resources are very low. Little bit of TLE (medication seems to be
keeping that stable quite nicely).
Jo:
Joanna, it is quite common for sticky problems like anorexia and selfdestruction, even depression and anxiety, to show their teeth when one
becomes ill with a flu virus. It always kicks you when you are down,
An Apprenticeship in Extremis
Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, December 2025 Release, p. 5-44.
www.journalnft.com
