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 do not think.anyone.can take her place. Besides all.that Betty shared she had.numerous sponsee's That is both virtual and face to face She maintained a solid program I am going to a grief group and one of the people I am focused on is Betty
Maeesie
-- Edited by Maresie888 on Sunday 20th of December 2020 03:44:55 PM
Betty was a force to be reckoned withpatient, supportive, caring, and a role model that goes beyond words. I remember last year when she wrote on the board to pray for her as she was going in for medical tests. I had no idea she would be taken from us. So I will picture her in a happy afterlife, with her husband and son, and most likely caring for souls there who need assistance. She was a beautiful human being in every single way.....
I truly hope there is no perception that I or anyone replaced Betty - in spirit, in service, in unconditional love for each of us. I am profoundly grateful for having Betty in my life showing me a continuous shining example of recovery in action. She was lovely, patient, kind, tolerant and truly a kindred soul in so many ways.
We lost Betty so shortly after I lost my 'Golden Girls' cousin. They both passed very, very quickly from Lung cancer. I miss them both dearly yet continue to trust in the master plan for my life and their's. For me, just for today, I envision them both smiling, free from disease/pain, enjoying whatever comes next. This also gives me great comfort as I consider they are both caring for my beloved Layla who passed shortly after Betty.
We are NOT gathering for Christmas because of the raging pandemic. This will be the first time in my entire life I've not spent the day with my huge extended family. I am not sad about it; just making plans for it to be different. I would rather be part of the solution and stay apart than be part of the problem and gather. As I ponder all who have passed, my heart breaks for those who's life ended way too soon because of this pandemic. I am also comforted in believing that both my cousin and Betty, wonderful caretakers by nature, are welcoming all to the other side.
Nobody is replaceable, ever...each of us is a OOAK - One Of A Kind Miracle in Progress.
__________________
Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
A lovely tribute to a lovely person. It is so good to see she is still so present in the hearts of this MIP Family!
Iamhere - many times you write what I am thinking! As I approach Christmas and I think about not seeing family, I remind myself that that THOUSANDS of people will not see their family members ever again due to COVID-19. This makes me sad yes, but more so angry. I try and temper that with the thought that Betty is there to welcome them into the divine light!
thank you all for your own personal words regarding Betty. There are many, many things I didn't know about her... but through your kind remembrances, I have a fuller picture.
&
__________________
"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
Thank you David for starting this share about Betty. She was one of a kind, irreplaceable, her legacy of love and courage under fire, I cant even think of all the things that she has helped me with in my growth the way I think her, other than asking the angels to give her a hug for me, is that I pay forward all the beautiful things she taught me. The seeds she planted in they did not take route right away but they did eventually and Im so grateful to have had her so close in my life, but then she was ready to go home to her eternal happy place having loved and helped and encouraged so many people. I will never ever forget her
Certainly Betty shared a great deal particularly to the newcomers. Betty was always one of the persons who welcomed the newcomer. However her behind the scenes commitment was indeed a formidable feat.
One of the things I am.most grateful for hs how she handled the transitiion on this Board. When John lesrned he was dying Betty was diplomatic, kind, supportive and extremely generous with her time. Her dedication to this Board was incredible because she had considerable family obligations. Indeex her commitment to.al anon in Manhatten was considerable. Betty always had a number of sponsee's and she was very responsive to their needs
I am truly sorry that my journey with.comolex ptad meant I could not participate in that transition process. I.was simoly.not in a place to manage what I.was dealing with. Now I am in a very different place and I am looking forward to a time where recovery from comolex ptsd does not dominate my life. That time is right on the horizon for me. The paradigm shift has been
Betty made al.anon one of the core organizing forces of her life. Betty's commitment to the program was beyond impressive. However her solid dedication to the program gave so many people the opportunity to dare to recover too. Betty was steadfast in her belief that al anon coukd helo the most pernicious situations. Betty loved al anon with every fiber of her being. She invested a tremendous amount of her life in service to al anon and she reaped the rewards. She relished every moment of her life in recovery.
Her commitment was indeed impressive given the tragic circumstances of her life. I know she lived with considerable challenges with grace dignity and a deep commitment to forgiveness.
I am so very grateful Betty had a full life. Her joy was radiant and her love for traveling and the arts was an ongoing celebration. That is not to mention her beautiful carefull curated wardrobe and love for hairdressers and profesional make up. What better examole of the program can you have than soneone radiating acceotance, joy and passion than Betty. Lower manhatten was indeed blessed to have her for so many years. I am sure they have celebrated her impressive legacy.
I am so very lucky to have had Betty in my life (albeit briefly).to shine the light on the possibility of renewal, calm and forgiveness so generously on a daily basis
I am deeoly indebted to her generosity. warm kindness and her deep commitment to this group. I have benefitted tremendously from watching her work a very challenging program on a day to day basis.