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 posted last night about the simple email I was sending my ah regarding the need to have Friday nights be for my recovery and not "date night" with the kids. I appreciated your responses. Just so you know, the reason I did not offer another night is because there isn't one. He is in recovery programs Mon thru Friday nights. He gets home "early" on Wednesdays and Fridays, so that is when he has the kids. Then we rotate (sort of) the weekends. Thank you for encouraging me to set boundaries around that too, so that time can be for me.
I must say I didn't know what I was going to get, but also didn't care because there was nothing to Jusitify, Argue, Defend, Explain, or be embarrassed about. I absolutely spoke my truth and felt good about it. I thought I might get silence, sarcasm, anger or a simple "okay", which is typical. Instead I got this:
Good for you. Taking care of yourself first is the priority. We can make changes when the time is right, thanks for being open to that. I hope that your recovery gives you the strength to be the greatest you that you can be. You have a lot of greatness and I am excited to see you evolve. I have seen so many miracles in recovery, I hope that you and I both become a miracle as well.
I tell you what! That would not have been the response had I sent the first email I composed! I take it for what it is, a response to my email, and acceptance of what I need. While I also hope that it is what it looks like (evidence of growth and progress - heck, he's been at it for 18 months solid), I know that really it just represents now, and that is good enough for me.
Blessings, Lou
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Every new day begins with new possibilities. It's up to us to fill it with the things that move us toward progress and peace. ~ Ronald Reagan~
Sometimes what you want to do has to fail, so you won't ~Marguerite Bro~
Aloha...Sounded loving and supportive. I know more than a handful of recovering Alcoholic that think, speak and act that way. I'm glad you got that share from him.
