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 apologize for the smell. See, my husband is an alcoholic and he can't sit through a movie without a drink.
Yes, I know he was sneaking to the bathroom to top off his soda cup with alcohol--I think it was vodka tonight--or he slipped out of the theater to the bar next door to grab something. Either way, please forgive the smell and understand that this was our family's attempt to have a normal moment together. We don't get many of those anymore. And sometimes, in a dark theater, with a bucket of popcorn passed between us and another world flashing on the movie screen, our family gets to pretend for a couple of hours that we are just like you.
Don't worry, I drove. I do most of the driving these days. But, for those 2 hours, I thank you for your kindness in not noticing or saying anything about the man near you who smelled like vodka and beer and who had to get up a couple of times for a refill.
Perhaps that couple is well aware of the grip of addiction, and was silently sending you and your family prayers and strength....if not, we on the boards ARE.
I really love what rehprof said and I like to think the same thing!
This reminded me of Friday night 2 weeks ago, my part time job is restaurant hostess. A woman called for reservations and I fit them in at 8pm. When they arrived her husband gave the name and said we are sitting with N. I politely smiled and said no N isn't working tonight but R will take wonderful care of you this evening. Her husband stated that she had asked if N was working when she called earlier that day. I stated that when I talked to her we had not spoken of whether or not N was working.
Then suddenly I really looked at him and it hit me like a ton of bricks. The swaying, the eyes, the utterly obnoxious vile behavior. I immediately disengaged from the debate and in fact I even walked away to check on the table. I talked to the server later and he said it was embarrassing and uncomfortable how he treated his wife that whole evening.
I was thankful that night for Al-Anon, for this board. Thankful that I have learned so much and continue to learn and grow!
I hope that y'all enjoyed your , it sounds like a lovely family night together! Sending you hugs and support!!
I am sending you support and thanking you for your share. You and your family are in my prayers as you continually LIVE your life One day at a time. big, big hug.
I'm glad you got out with your family - even small things like a movie can provide that sense of bond... even if for a brief moment. You don't need to apologize. Things are as they are. I'm learning so very fast and painfully that my family is so far from Norman Rockwell but it is still my family. I am creating a new one though - with this board and Alanon.
I hope you enjoyed the movie, sending love and support.
Hugs P :)
__________________
Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.- Maya Angelo
You know what's great about Al-Anon? I've learned that I don't need to apologize to other people for other people. The only person whose actions I'm responsible for are my own, and the only person who I should be apologizing for is myself if I've taken a moral inventory and seen I was in the wrong.
(hugs) to you and your family. The people next to you just may have been going through their own crisis, too, and just maybe were thinking they should apologize to you!
Ugh--I know this feeling so well *cringe* but thank god for Al-Anon so that we can share with people who understand. I am so glad you came here and posted this and you got some great ESH here. Try not to dwell on it. At least nothing bad ended up happening overall.
I remember those moments as a kid with my AD. My mom always tried to plan some great one-nighter trips and he always seemed to ruin it with his drinking. We tried to ignore his behavior but it was embarassing because even though we acted as though things were normal, people noticed. Sending you hugs!!!
