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 hope everyone has a safe and somewhat calm 4th weekend. Just chiming in to say that it has been for me one of the toughest holidays in the past to get through. Without this board, I've had a couple of 4th of July's--well I made it ! Alive and well. I know one July 3rd, John just happened to reply to my post, and brought me from bottomed out despair, back to Hope. So, if you have 5 minutes to check the boards, for those of you that are home now and then this weekend--- remember, someone on board here may just need an ear!
Or if you have time to leave a short post of a reading, that may help!
Thanks for posting. I laugh at myself at my past expectations for vacations. I grew up in such a traditional family and everything had to go according to plan. As I became an adult and had children, I thought the same traditions would prevail. Boy, was I in for a surprise. I had all these "expectations" as to the way things would go. In the past, most holidays were very disappointing. Not only did I have a problem with my husband's drinking, but my children threw quite a few curves themselves.
Today, I expect to have a holiday. That's it. How it goes is anyone's guess. I'm just glad to be alive and able to celebrate. Last year we spent the 4th on our boat. This year it's sold and perhaps we'll barbeque. Perhaps, we'll just have a ham sandwich and watch a movie. I no longer place emphasis on HOW we celebrate. I place emphasis on the fact that I'm still here TO celebrate.
I wish for everyone to find the joy and happiness in daily life and in holidays. Holidays place so many expectations and for so may of us they are hard to face. Once I got beyond the expectations of what holidays were supposed to be, I could enjoy them for what they were for me personally.
I almost forgot it was the July 4th weekend coming up- you can clearly tell I get too wrapped up in work anymore. At least I get a day off. I deserve it.
