I am sorry it has taken me so long to reply to this message. But I want to express how happy I am for you also. It must really be a bitter sweet feeling, but to feel so positive and as you said so "normal" again is everything we strive so hard to attain. I am glad that you know that the end of your therapy does not mean the end of your relationship with your T. I know my T fondly refers to former clients who keep in touch with her over the years and how she looks forward to hearing from them. That makes me realize that not only do they think of their clients outside of session, but we do touch their lives and they think about us even when we're gone. We're not out of sight out of mind as we may sometimes be inclined to believe.
I am encouraged to know that eventually we do get to where you are as I have lately been accustomed to think of myself as my T's IRA. Right now it feels like this will be a life long endeavor. I can see us sitting along side each other in a nursing home many years from now still processing my traumas.
So I feel for you in both ways. But you better keep in touch with us and let us know what it is like on the other side of tharapy from time to time.
Congratulations!
JM