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.
This morning I began to reflect on a passage I read in my how al-anon works book. In summary it read that the family holding the A out of the water to keep her head from getting wet only supports the disease further to enable her destructive behavior.
This made me very angry at her family. They have been doing this long before i met her, yet did nothing to break the structure they created down. I realize I put myself in the situation with her, but still I feel almost rage that her parents did nothing when pain and destruction were right in front of thier eyes. I got a sponsor, and he thinks itmight be one of the character flaws i might need to address at step 4. Just because you see it and think you are right(even if you are), doesnt mean other people see what you do. And you cannot control that. I understand this and it is true. But then I think about the next child that that family is going to put through the same garbage, and I am right back with the same anger I started with. grrr
I understand why you are angry. I also get angry with everyone around my AH that condones his drinking and behavior. His family seems oblivious to his disease. Idk if its because his father was an ah at one point and his mother is one today so maybe its normal to them.When I'm around his family I feel like I'm crazy because I feel alone. I'm trying really hard not to think about those things I can't control anymore but wanted to say I feel your pain. Hang in there.
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I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once.
The first step is...We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable. I have learned that I can apply this to all my affairs. I am powerless over everything but me. When I become the change I want to see in my world, things get better. We have to be the change we want to see. I am powerless and I surrender to my HP to take care of my A, the family, the kids...I can't do it, I am just not able to. I can take care of me and my stuff. I hope you are making it to meetings. It works when we work it! Take care of you ;)
-- Edited by youfoundme on Thursday 16th of June 2011 08:35:36 PM
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-youfoundme
Let go and let God...Let it be... let it begin with me...
Dear jamfu, I have read your posts where you speak of the anger toward her parents--and it is clear that you feel this very intensely and you want to not feel it any more.
Dear jamfu, our feelings are what they are. How we deal with them is what counts.
Of, course ventilating them is a good start toward accomplishing that end. Good that you can articulate it. Anger is an uncomfortable way to feel.
I can't help but wonder if you aren't almost feeling the feelings For her. Do you think? Because, if you feel this much, surely, she must have a ton of anger/pain insider her on the same topic. It seems reasonable, at least to me, to think a lot of her illness comes from trying to handle some bad feelings.
At some poin in her recovery she will have to own this for herself and her program and possibly therapy will help her to come to terms.
It will be her journey to walk--my dear, you won't be able to walk it for her. Maybe this perspective can allow you to unload some of this burden.
Dear jamfu, I have read your posts where you speak of the anger toward her parents--and it is clear that you feel this very intensely and you want to not feel it any more.
Dear jamfu, our feelings are what they are. How we deal with them is what counts.
Of, course ventilating them is a good start toward accomplishing that end. Good that you can articulate it. Anger is an uncomfortable way to feel.
I can't help but wonder if you aren't almost feeling the feelings For her. Do you think? Because, if you feel this much, surely, she must have a ton of anger/pain insider her on the same topic. It seems reasonable, at least to me, to think a lot of her illness comes from trying to handle some bad feelings.
At some poin in her recovery she will have to own this for herself and her program and possibly therapy will help her to come to terms.
It will be her journey to walk--my dear, you won't be able to walk it for her. Maybe this perspective can allow you to unload some of this burden.
Very sincerely, Otie
You are right . I do not want to feel it anymore. I do feel very intensely about it. I know I have to let that go. In hindsight the first time I noticed a problem , I mean a big one, i should have called it quits. but that is the past, and all i have today is today. After reading the posts this morning I think I felt what it feels like again to be free of this like i used to feel before i got involved with her. At least for now, for i dont want to walk up to them and shake sense into each and every one of them. I say to myself.. screw them. They are a bunch of head cases. And it does bring me peace reflecting on the turmoil. It's over . no more. leave me alone in my memories.
She will never admit to me anyway of all the crap her family has subjected her to. But she did tell me once upon a time that it was always normal for everyone to be getting loaded around the house. Both grandpas were A's , and both mentally ill with schizophrenia. Other than that she will defend her parents to the death. I have seen different however. They are no angels by a long shot. And again you are right I cannot carry this burden with me.
Honestly I think this is the last stint of anger for me with them. I dont have the energy to worry about it anymore. I keep reading step one over and over. And If you really read it, it in itself is life changing. Thanks for listening, and I'll keep you guys posted