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 go to our local AA meetings every Monday night. I offer to hold a separate meeting for Alanon and explain who Alanon is for. I have held a separate meeting maybe once a year. I just attend AA or go outside the room and read the readings.
In the past month, I have had an Alanoner come twice. She is much younger than me but seems to grasp the program. I am so thrilled to have someone help with the readings and share. I need it so much. There is such power when someone shares their story. When I listen to her, I realize that I withhold so much; I am embarassed, in denial, have fear of moving on. I really don't know but it is forcing me to open up more.
There is something to be said for finding someone of "like circumstances" to be sure.... This might seem kind of crazy, but what about the two of you starting an Al-Anon meeting together? For awhile, it may just be the two of you - which would be small but okay - but I'd be willing to bet that there are others in your area who would quickly find you - many may be intimidated by the only meetings in the area belonging to AA...
Just a thought
Take care Tom
__________________
"He is either gonna drink, or he won't.... what are YOU gonna do?"
"What you think of me is none of my business"
"If you knew the answer to what you are worrying about, would it REALLY change anything?"
Nancy, This is why the program works! We learn so much from the newcomers. I don't know about you, but it seems to me that the newcomers lately have been picking things up faster than I did .
Keep working it and thank you for your service to the program.
Yours in recovery, Mandy
__________________
"We are not punished for our unforgiveness, we are punished by it" Jim Stovall
I'm with CG. With you and HP working together the possibilities are endless. We have a lady that comes to our District Meeting and for over a year she went to her meeting every week and she was the only person there. She still would come to the District Meeting every three months and give a report on the group. At the last District Meeting she informed us that there was an aversge of 6 to 8 members attending each week. She had a smile from ear to ear----so did everyone else at the meeting. Turn it over Nancy--- And watch HP make it happen.
Double HUGS for you, RLC
P.S. If you have a local paper they will publish the meeting time and address free. We get a lot of newcomers from the notice in the paper.
Nancy - there is much comfort and strength to be gained from sharing the experience of dealing with or being an A. many of us on this forum have had a long and arduous journey full of pain, remorse, guilt, and obsession. each of us have reached our own decisions in our own good time and have learnt so much about ourselves, our partners and the devastation that the addictions cause. you will find many questions go unanswered as there probably are no answers to a lot of things that occur during these dark times. there is no need to be closed, embarrassed, in denial, or otherwise here. we all understand your anguish and offer unrivalled support and encouragement in whatever you decide is right for you. gilly
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