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.
Todays reading is about the ability to separate the alcoholism from the person in our lives. In my case, I should say for so much of the time- the inability to separate the alcoholism from the person. The writer describes a perception she had of her alcoholic father that reduced him, in her mind, to the Drunk. Many years after his death, she found some photographs which he had saved. As she found pictures from her childhood with her father, pictures of him with his friends, and familyit became clear to her that he was so much more than the disease. She was able to see, instead of the Drunk: Dad.
Any of us who have lived in active alcoholism with another person knows how difficult it is not to be focused, all the time, on the disease and all of the behavior surrounding it. Working on our own recovery helps to uncover the person we love rather than be blinded by the disease. As we know there are so many layers to alcoholism and recovery; I think we also have to acknowledge that even when we are able to separate the person and the disease, it doesnt mean it is something that we can live with, if untreated.
The thought for the day is a gentle but strong statement: I know Im recovering when I can see the alcoholic in my life as a human being.
I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful Sunday:)
Mary
PS. PNP- fall colors have been a bit delayed here in CT but I am hopeful for a trail Ill be heading to later today. Ill try to get some New England leaves to photograph and send out to SoCal!
Good morning, Mary, and thank you for your share and ESH. This has definitely been part of my journey -- healing myself enough that I can remember both the person and the disease. I can still acknowledge what happened, but not remain stuck in fear and anger.
Thank you Mary for the daily! Such a great reminder that the qualifier is usually somebody we love and have strong connections to. I agree on the statement that it is hard to see them for more than just the disease when you are living right there with them, in all that chaos that the disease brings. I don't always agree with every aspect of the Al-Anon program... but the longer I use the tools, the more I realize that it is an invaluable resource for the person who doesn't drink/use. It certainly helped me find compassion for my qualifier!
Sounds like a fun day, Mary!! Have a safe hike, and I will be looking forward to some east-coast fall beauty!
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"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
