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 am in this program for myself. Taking care of yourself "first" is the first thing we are told when we walk through the doors of Al-Anon. We must never forget that. The second reason I am in the program is to give back, share with others my ESH of the experiences I have had or learned from others in meetings, or on this board. I never come out of a meeting, or off this board without gaining knowledge, or having better understanding of how this program works, or how it can make my life better.
With all that in mind there is a third reason, reaching out to others. I had a chance to do that last night. I along with two other members of my group drove to another town 25 miles away to help two ladies start a new Al-Anon group. They had contacted me two weeks ago from a call list they had obtained. The two ladies had been coming to a room next to the AA meeting for several weeks and the two of them just talking with each other. No books, no material, no format, only the desire to have someone to talk to so they would not be alone dealing with the disease of alcoholism.
We had them a nice binder made up with their group name on it, then inside the opening, welcome,steps, traditions, closing etc. We donated 5 each of the Courage To Change, and One Day At A Time books, and all the welcome,and new members packets, to help them get started. Also, all the information to get their group registered as an official Al-Anon Group. We talked with them for an hour before the meeting explaining the importance of sticking to the same format, using only Conference Approved Literature, and answered any other questions they had, etc.
Just before the meeting started two other ladies came through the doors who needed to be in an Al-Anon group, but had been attending AA meetings next door with their AH's for the last several months. None of the four ladies had ever been to an Al-Anon meeting before. We held a regular hour long meeting on detachment and each of the four ladies shared their story. When the meeting was over the four of them were like a new found family. Hugs, and crying, thanking us for what we had done, and then crying a little more. You would have thought if you had not know better that they had known each other all their lives.
On the way home the three of us were talking and all agreed it was not what we had done for them, but what the four ladies we had just meet for the first time had done for us. I can not express or describe the feeling I had. Just gratitude for my HP leading me through the doors of Al-Anon 2 1/2 years. My life so much better. But most important last night I was able to reach out and give back what this program has given me. That to me was the most fulfilling experience of all.
O.K. Let me be honest, I need to ask the ladies of the board something. RLC did not cry, but he did have a few tears running down his face. That is not the same thing as crying is it ?????? LOL
I have only been attending al anon for around 16 months but I have seen many people come through the doors after me I get the most amazing feeling when they return and you can see they have arrived HOME.
I just dont know how I lived without this programme I plan to be one of the old timers giving back what has been given to me. I just wish it could be for everyone not just family and friends of A's.
And from a "fellow" member of the World-wide Fellowship of the Al-Anon Family Groups who has been raised in early recovery by the women of recovery let me ((((((hug)))))) you and express gratitude for your unselfish support of 4 other family members. That takes my breath away....YOWZERS RLC. At good size 12th step. Cry all you want...suck in the gut, stick out your chest and weep with joy. (((((hugs)))))....I've got one in my eye right now.
The word "grace" comes to mind. By definition, an indispensable gift from HP for development, improvement, and character expansion. A empowering presence in one's life, enabling one to do and be what one was created to do and be.
((((((more hugs)))))
Christy
__________________
If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
Thank you SO much for sharing this story. At a time when our area officers are spending a lot of time trying to figure out how to spread the message that service really is a part of recovery, because we have such a hard time getting GRs and DRs, I just love to know that this kind of thing is still going on in some areas.
My 1st f2f brought tears to my eyes...but not for me
I went to that meeting encouraged by the gentle support and encouragement I found here.
I was scared at what I would find...what was expected.
There were 7 people there...I was the newbie....as the meeting progressed and it came to sharing... before I new it I started blethering (blethering is Scottish for verbal diahorrea)
At the end of the meeting, as I was leaving, this guy ( yep one guy at the meeting) shook my hand and with tears in his eyes ( no shame in tears RLC take heed!) thanked me for sharing...... he picked up on what I thought was a small thing for me but hit home for him...
On the 30 mile journey home as my husb drove I wept....I wept not for me but in humility and thankfulness because that guy brought home the reality of Alanon for me.
I have been to 5 meetings now and the max in the group has been 8. They too are a new group started by 2 who have 20 yrs of ES&H.
