The material presented
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I just wanted to share a little something that happened to me the other night that I cant quit chuckling about!
I went last Friday to Katy, Tx to visit my brother and his family for easter. I arrived there mid afternoon. Once before, about a year ago, I had the occasion to be at his house on a Friday and had gone to an al-anon meeting there. It was a great meeting...big group...lots of great es&h.
I decided I would attend again this friday night. Gives me a chance to get a way from the pandamonium of all the folks and noise for a hour and hang out with "my" people some.
On the way to the meeting I was confident of just one thing. I was NOT going to share. I had decided it was a day for me to shut up for a change and just listen.
I arrived at the meeting and recognize a couple of faces from the prior meeting I had attended there, said howdy then took my seat.
The chairperson started the meeting and soon turned it over to another member who was in charge of picking the topic for the night. The topic turned out to be Live and Let Live....with a special emphases on the Live side of that....she pointed out..for those of us that have been so caught up in living within the context of our relationships that we dont seem to be able to really live for ourself.
She spoke to this topic for a bit and the she announces...that she knows that usually...the meetings are set up so that people volunteer to speak on the subject..but..she says....she just feels like tonight that she is gonna call on people she would like to have share.
Well you all know what happened next I am sure.
She looks around the room of approximately 35 people and stops on me...and says How about you sharing on this topic with us. I AM THE FIRST ONE CALLED UPON!
Well...I just started laughing....I actually had an image of my HP standing behind me giggling.....and giving me that....See...Who's in charge around here look?
It was something. I mean... what an amazing thing that followed. I started sharing...when I had truly intended to remain quiet... and I soon learned why.
I told my story of having to learn to Live for myself after my divorce and my family moving out.... and how foreign and difficult it was a first. But that, with the help of this program I have begun to truly Live for the first time in my life. The things I have done, the changes in who I am and how I treat myself and the world around me, since coming into these healing rooms of al-anon. And sharing a recent realization I had come to...that if I could somehow make a wish and have my ex-wife and my family back around me...living with me again.... and how the only price I would have to pay would be for me to go back to being the same person I was when they lived here and give up my recovery, that I would have to decline. Because I like this person so much more than that old one. I love this new family I have.
Well after I finished sharing the next person "chosen" to speak...they were "following in my footsteps". They are now where I was then, and are beginning the journey in recovery and was so greatful to hear what I had to say.
Anyway.....I know the miracle that happens in these rooms so often....the miracle of hearing just what we need to hear. Of maybe speaking just what someone else needs to hear. But it still sends tingles down my back everytime..... Cuz that is what it feels like when I am touched by the spirit of my HP ... all tingly!!!
And once again I was reminded who was really in charge..... you see... I could have passed on sharing....no one can make me do anything..even in alanon!!!
But I knew there had to be a reason I was chosen to speak like that....I left that meeting filled with joy and feeling like the willing butt of my HP's sense of humor .
I spent a wonderful weekend with my brother, sil, nephews, neice and mom, riding that inner peace and joy. What a great way to spend an Easter!
Thanks Al-anon!
Thanks to you guys for being here, and for reading.
LOL!! HP does have a sense of humor doesn't he? And for the other person HP provided just what he/she needed to hear through you.. Man, that's suweet!!
love ya ((Elvis)) Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
I am so grateful that your HP knew just when to boot ya in da highney!! It is a wonderful thing to feel that flow of energy through your body that allows you to openly share from that place so deep inside of you. That place where you live somewhere between your head and your heart :o)
As I open my heart and my eyes to figure out who I am, I am so grateful for the love and support of the people in this program. Often times my HP seems to have a sense of humor and I get put into a place that I am unsure that I am ready for. Something similar happened to me tonight and with the help of a close friend I was able to help navigate a potentially difficult situation. It is only because I have been able to love and trust myself that I have been able to see real love and trust in others.
(((David))))) Our HP's must be related lol.... A lot of times during our meetings here I will tell myself....nope.....not gonna share gonna let everyone else share, just get the door or keep track of who's up next.... But so many times, dunno if I am being blindly led to tap the ! button.... but I do I end up sharing straight from the heart about the topic. And while young in some years, I am glad I do have a grasp on the concepts of the program as I do, and like you said.....there is no way I would trade this for the life of who I used to be.
What a wonderful Easter gift. Thank you so much for that fantastic share full of grace and dignity and acceptance. There are still some days when I get so so angry about having to deal with the A but I think in some respects I had to deal with him to get here. And you are right being in al-anon in a family of choice is a great gift.
A lot of times during our meetings here I will tell myself....nope.....not gonna share