This week I will celebrate my fifth year of being a grateful Al-Anon member. In the last five years, so much has changed! When I finally got up enough courage to attend my first meeting, I had accidentally run across my AH's lab results, which showed that he had untreated diabetes and cirrhosis, and my AD, who was just 22 years old at the time, had just gotten her second DUI.

Since that time, we lost our home, I separated from my AH, my AD moved out of state and back (and continues to binge drink and is now unemployed), and then my AH died last year at the age of 52 from complications of his drinking  (we were in the middle of finalizing our divorce after 30 years of marriage). My AD blames me for her dad's death and has not talked to me since his passing. 

But, you know, through all of this, I have learned so much and have gained so much serenity. I am hopeful for the future- if I can come through all that I have, I can handle deal with whatever else life brings my way. And to top things off things off in a positive way, I found out that my AH had a life insurance policy that I never knew he had paid for in full. So I will be okay financially, praise God.

Here as some of the "gems" that I have learned and lived by through my years in Al-Anon that have gotten me to where I am today:

"Rejection is God's protection."

"'No' is a complete sentence."

"When nothing happens, nothing happens."

"Detach with love."

"Don't try to buy bread at a hardware store."

"Get off his back. Get out of his way. Get onto yourself. Get to meetings. Give him to God."

"You have to count on living every single day in a way you believe will make you feel good about your life." (Courage to Change, Feb. 1)

The three A's: "Awareness, acceptance, action."

"Picture the alcoholic with an 'SSS" on his forward. And 'SSS' stands for Sick, Sick, Sick."

The three C's "You didn't cause it, you can't control it, and you can't cure it."

"When in doubt, don't."

"Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Don't say it mean."

"Stay on your side of the street."

"What others think of me is none of my business."

In reference to my HP: "I can't, He can, I'll let Him."

JADE: "Don't judge, argue, defend or explain" when dealing with the alcoholic.

And, of course, my favorite, "One day at a time."

Thank you HP, thank you fellow Al-Anon members, thank you MIP, and thank you to my sponsor. I definitely couldn't have done it alone.

It works when you work it!

Thank you for sharing.  When we share we help others so very much.  Thanks you again.

Wow green eyes,

amazing share I have not heard that one before rejection is gods protection LOVE IT !!!

and again HP brought a newcomer to HP to read your positive share who is now going to try meetings again.  You are an example of how much we gain if we keep coming back and put the effort in.

Al anon has also changed me and my life beyond recognition , I do not know how I lived without it!!

I learn something every time I go to a meeting, convention, read or speak to others.

Thanks again

happy birthday

hugs tracy xxxxx

It's now been 8 years. No new progress to report on my AD, but I'm doing fine and life is good. So thankful for the gifts of Al-anon!

Green Eyes wrote:

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This week I will celebrate my fifth year of being a grateful Al-Anon member. In the last five years, so much has changed! When I finally got up enough courage to attend my first meeting, I had accidentally run across my AH's lab results, which showed that he had untreated diabetes and cirrhosis, and my AD, who was just 22 years old at the time, had just gotten her second DUI.

Since that time, we lost our home, I separated from my AH, my AD moved out of state and back (and continues to binge drink and is now unemployed), and then my AH died last year at the age of 52 from complications of his drinking  (we were in the middle of finalizing our divorce after 30 years of marriage). My AD blames me for her dad's death and has not talked to me since his passing. 

But, you know, through all of this, I have learned so much and have gained so much serenity. I am hopeful for the future- if I can come through all that I have, I can handle deal with whatever else life brings my way. And to top things off things off in a positive way, I found out that my AH had a life insurance policy that I never knew he had paid for in full. So I will be okay financially, praise God.

Here as some of the "gems" that I have learned and lived by through my years in Al-Anon that have gotten me to where I am today:

"Rejection is God's protection."

"'No' is a complete sentence."

"When nothing happens, nothing happens."

"Detach with love."

"Don't try to buy bread at a hardware store."

"Get off his back. Get out of his way. Get onto yourself. Get to meetings. Give him to God."

 

"You have to count on living every single day in a way you believe will make you feel good about your life." (Courage to Change, Feb. 1)

The three A's: "Awareness, acceptance, action."

"Picture the alcoholic with an 'SSS" on his forward. And 'SSS' stands for Sick, Sick, Sick."

The three C's "You didn't cause it, you can't control it, and you can't cure it."

"When in doubt, don't."

"Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Don't say it mean."

 

"Stay on your side of the street."

"What others think of me is none of my business."

In reference to my HP: "I can't, He can, I'll let Him."

JADE: "Don't judge, argue, defend or explain" when dealing with the alcoholic.

And, of course, my favorite, "One day at a time."

 

Thank you HP, thank you fellow Al-Anon members, thank you MIP, and thank you to my sponsor. I definitely couldn't have done it alone.

 

It works when you work it!

 

-- Edited by Green Eyes on Friday 14th of February 2014 02:09:48 AM

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I love it Green Eyes...inspiring just where I need to hear it...in my spiritual center.  I feel more confident and centered....Congratulations and thanks again.   ((((hugs))))