The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
My AW asked me today, " ...how do you live with yourself when I just have to leave and go back to that apartment instead of staying here with my family..."
I asked here if she means how do I feel inside about this whole situation. When she said yes... I thought about it for a moment. I asked if she had in our 20 years together ever seen me having a nightmare at night? She of course said yes.
What did you do? Did you wake me up? She said sure she did. Well, I feel like I have caught you having a nightmare, and not matter what I do, I can't get you to wake up. Until you wake up on your own, you are stuck in the nightmare.
I was in the nightmare with you and I woke up somehow.... my heart is still racing, I can't catch my breath, but I know now it was a nightmare and I am trying to calm down from it.
I want us to live our lives together more than almost anything, but you alone know what to do in order for that to even have a chance. This has nothing to do with love... I will always love you.
I don't know if it made sense... but it was all I could think of at the time.
My prayers are with you all...
Take care of you!
__________________
"Good judgement comes from experience... experience comes from bad judgement" - unknown
Good share. Good program response. Who said an alcoholic can't think? Hopefully she will take the time to look at the conversation you had and self reflect and then; hopefully seek help for herself.
Thanks and (((((hugs)))))
ps. Nightmares were also one of my reactions to the insanity I lived in and with. Hope you are free from them. I did learn alot about myself by inventoring them and no longer have them as often or as severe as I use to, thank God. They ain't real just the way my subconscious presents the reality of my fears.
I love how she was potentially asking you a "loaded question" and yet you answered it seriously and earnestly.
And, the waking up from a nightmare, is a perfect metaphor for lives with our As. This story has really helped me a great deal with my own situation. Thank you!
Your response was awesome. You are right. We do live in a nightmare....alanon helps us wake up from that nightmare. I never thought about it that way before...but that is what I felt too. Keep taking care of you...you're doing a good job.
I think you explained how you felt perfectly to your AW. It was a great analogy and one that she can hopefully identify with. For me it didn't matter if I was awake or dreaming. I was just shook up all the time. I'm glad those days are few and farther between now. Keep your eye on the prize, your recovery.
Peace,
Twinmom~
__________________
"The people who don't mind matter and the people who mind, don't matter". (Dr. Seuss)
AMAZING RTEXAS! I wish I could come up with responses like that. In fact, I wish my AH would just talk to me. But he doesn't. He shuts me out usually. And all I feel like I can say to him is that I love him and that he is not alone even though he feels lonely. He shuts me out and always has. Maybe I will remember some of what you said when and if I am approached with such a question. More than likely I will only say my standard....I love you. I am here for you. You are not alone. It just hasn't been good enough up to this point and probably will never be.
((((((((rtexas)))))))) just want to give ya a (((((BiGHuG)))
Your posts always affect me... emotionally. I feel the same about this being like a nightmare that we can't seem to wake up from. I love my AH but so hate the disease.
Your strength is an inspiration...... inspiration that fuels me (and others) to continue with our/my program. To Let Go and Let God. To keep coming back to Alanon... that I know I am not alone with this. Thank you my friend. Thanks for posting.