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.
I got a phone call today from a very distraught woman whose husband has returned to drinking. She was crying, full of fear, desperately reaching out hoping someone could fix it, and my heart went out to her.
She called me because I am listed as the AA contact for our AA meetings here, but I also qualify for Alanon.
Alanon was active here back in my early days of recovery, circa 1986, but at some point fizzled out and there have been no takers since to start it back up again.
So here I sit, wondering if this isn't a sign for me to at least make an effort to get one Alanon meeting a week going again here. I KNOW it's needed. Whether folks will attend or not is another question.
I just felt such compassion for her, and tried my best to let her know that I understood the heartache, and that neither she, or anyone else could make him put the alcohol back down. I promised I would call within the next day or two to check in with her.
I am waiting for a call back from my sponsor as I want to run this past him first. I just can't help but feel that this is a nudge from my HP to get more active with Alanon, especially since I am now dealing with two alcoholic daughters, the youngest still being at home with me.
Thanks for letting me share!
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"If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience." - Woodrow Wilson
THSKS, I remember one search for an al anon meeting in a rural location, once. I went looking and found an AA meeting and said: where is al-anon? And they pointed to a closed door. It was a kitchen in a church and there was one very tall lone woman in that kitchen and SHE was all of al-anon for that entire area. I cried when I saw her. She was so glad to see me. She said she has been sitting in that church kitchen next to the AA meeting for 13 years. She says usually no one comes for al-anon yet she attends every single week for 13 years hoping just one person might. I saw her as a lighthouse. We had an INCREDIBLE meeting, just her and I. i will never forget that night for as long as I live. It touched me so dearly. Do it, THSKS! Hugs, J.
Oooh! I get goosebumps just reading both your posts. Hope your sponsor tells you "go for it!" THSKS. I keep hearing over and over that when you're asked to help or be of service, don't say "no!" You'll miss something in doing that!
Thank you both for your responses, and Jean, I got goosebumps reading about that lady that was there for you!
I have to bring it up at the next group conscience (Alanon met in a small adjoining room to our large AA room), and by golly, I will give it my best shot. I'm sure no one will have a problem with me starting it up again; it's just a formality.
My sponsor also called and talked to her, and she has my number, his, and his wife's (she's a terrific lady too who qualifies for Alanon). Hopefully we can offer some peace of mind for her until the meeting is started up.
PS. Jean, I am 6' tall. How coincidental is that to your story?!
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"If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience." - Woodrow Wilson
Tenderheartsks!!! I am gonna jump on the "go for it" bandwagon too!!! That would be wonderful!
Jean.....when I first started alanon, my home group had esentially existed for 6-7 years prior to that time with one lady who "kept coming back too". I asked her once..what did you do? why did you keep coming when it was just you?
She said just in case someone like me showed up!
She also said even though she was the only one there so many times, she still valued the time she spent there alone. It gave her time to read literature and meditate! I am so grateful to her for keeping our group going virtually single-handedly for so long so that it would be there for those of us who are there now.
She still comes too...19 yrs in alanon.
Be a lighthouse tender!!! I love that analogy Jean!
