Recently, I had the opportunity to apply the Three A's to a Family situation that I was involved in. Like the reader in Courage To Change,April !st,who use to try to jump from awareness to action,without even pausing for acceptance.Their thinking went like this'Something's wrong!quick,let me fix it before I have to feel any discomfort."

I relate so very much with this behaviour, because I am an action person, if I have an issue, the very first thing I do, is go looking for the solution. This time however, I found myself really stopping and using the Three A's. I recently found out that one of my Grand Daughters had given Birth to a little girl, and I wanted to reach out and send her a Card,but, because of a Family situation, her and all her Family are not speaking to me. I spoke to a friend of mine, who knew of the situation, and she offered to give the Card to my Grand Daughter. I did agree to it, but afterwards started to have doubts, if I was doing the best thing for all concerned.

I remembered the reading on stepping from awareness to action, this time however, knew that I had to give myself time to really be happy with all of it. Because there were other people involved, and I didn't want to cause any more trouble and bitterness, with them. My heart really wanted to send the card, hoping that maybe if I did, it might be the start of something changing.So I prayed about it, and asked my HP for help with it, asking Him to show me what I need to do, as I wanted to feel Serene with the outcome.

However, a few days later, I heard that one of my other Grand Daughters,{who has recently had a baby Boy} had reached out to my other Grand Daughter, in love, hoping like myself, that maybe things could change. But it wasn't to be, my Grand Daughter, replied in a very nasty, vicious message, that totally upset, my other Grand Daughter.When I heard this, I knew that my HP had answered my Prayers, letting me know of the answer to my doubts. I felt really sorry that had happened to my grand Daughter, and I was able to tell her this. I was so upset for her, I realize that the effects are all the way through my large Family, thankfully, the Serenity Prayer helps to make it easier for me to accept it.I can understand why this had happened, and be there for the ones that get caught up in it, and get very hurt.

For me, I can remember a saying,"thank you God, that I can smile, but, never let me forget, why I cry". It helps me to remember exactly what is happening and the people involved. Also, being in Al-Anon as long as I have, when something like this raises its ugly head, I say to myself, "I know what I am dealing with, and who I am dealing with." It helps me so much in keeping things, and people in perspective.

Love In Al-Anon

WendyP.