((((everyone)))))

I had my al-anon b-day a few months ago, and since then I've been thinking about how I got started, not only how I came thru the doors but especially about a person I met there when I did. 

My first meeting I cried the entire time, the meeting was about control though I didn't understand what they were talking about, and I just couldn't see why so many were laughing.  Even though I was a mess I was still offered the opportunity to share, geeze I thought I can barely breath and they told me I could pass.  The laughter continued, they were drawing slips of paper from a basket with situations on them, today I can see why there was laughter.  When I've participated in meetings like this it always seems you get just the right slip of paper -- it's almost ironic.  Anyhow, when the meeting came to a close I was offered lots of hugs, literature and general support to keep coming back.  It was strange for me, I hadn't cried in a long time.

After a few minutes a woman walked up to me, I remember she jingled, she had all these silver bracelets on and a vivid color scarf around her hair.  She reminded me of Gypsy.  She came after everyone else had walked a way to chat with others and she took my hand with great concern and asked me if my A was my spouse.  I said with a heavy breath "yes" -- thinking all the time of poor me, and all my woes.  She patted my hand and said "Oh Sh*t."  At which I busted out in laughter.  Not exactly the response I was expecting.  I hadn't cried in a while, and it had been even longer since I had laughed.  She didn't do "poor you" thing, but kept saying, "you just keep coming back, changed attitudes aid in recovery."   I didn't know what that meant either, I was still thinking about the Oh Sh.. comment. lol

It was the first and last time I saw her.  Four weeks later she succumbed to cancer.  I share this with you because she is the reason I kept coming back.  She made me laugh, didn't pity me even when I thought I deserved it.  I later found that she had been a nurse, raised 7 children, retired and became active with Hospice.  She was also an A with 20 yrs sobriety. 

I almost cry as I write this, I so much wish that she could know where I am today with my program and that I could thank her for those 15 min on my first day in.  The thing is you just never know who you are going to touch, I believe HP work thru us and we don't have to have "just the right words."  We just have to be willing to reach out to others and let Hp do the rest. 

Thanks for letting me share   Hope you all have a wonderful day.