The material presented
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level.
I just felt like posting something this morning about my experience last week. Been a busy week and I am just now sitting down and catching my breath for real! LOL. I was one of the luckies that got to meet a group of people from MIP in San Antonio last weekend.
Six of us were there from MIP and I had only met one in person before. I was a little nervous going into the weekend. Being from the area, I felt like I needed to play host..and how was I gonna make sure everyone had a great time! Nervous about me. Nervous that I might not live up to the person that these friends know from this cyber world, nervous that I could not live up to others expectations. Isn't it funny how we do that to ourselves.
I got some great reminders. I was reminded that when I don't worry about what other people are thinking about me, and just let go of my own reins and flow...I can only be who I am (even if I am morphing into a giant moth being drawn to the pretty lights! he he he). And that when I am being who I am I have a wonderful, wonderful time.
Again I learned that I don't have to run the show....that things will just happen naturally. Sure sometimes ya hit a bump....like a restaurant being closed...that you planned to meet at....but well guess what! There are others! (Please refer to alanon handbook of living a life of serenity page BR549, re "Having a Plan B" )
But the bestest thing of all for me was once again feeling the love of my family of choice. Sitting at a table with them all, sharing a wonderful meal and conversation. Hearing the laughter (mixed with giggling....he he he) looking around and seeing semi-private conversations at different parts of the table, everyone talking at once and just having a GREAT TIME.....seeing my beautiful friends together. Wow!
It was so hard to see them all leave when each had to go their own ways. It was so much like the family gatherings at my grandma's house as a child around christmas time.....but without any of the family crap that could sometimes be found there .
I also found a place inside of me that still embarrassed me (I gotta work on that embarrassment part and lose it!). I have a really hard time saying goodbye to people I love. I always have and it still is there. Sometimes I try to hide it and "be a man" lol...sometimes I can't and will shed a tear of two..or three. I always feel them in my stomach, those darned butterflies. And I get sad. As I sit here thinking about it I remember again the book a friend suggested to me titled "How to Survive the Loss of a Love" and the light bulb went off for me. LOL That's grief! It's natural to grieve a loss, whether small or large. And when someone leaves....welp that's a loss! But! I do know that the feelng leaves me quicker now. Who knows where I will be or they will be tomorrow. I know that whether I see them again or not they are with me always in the place inside of me where I will forever hold them. (I like to say my heart, but the spleen could work too...storage is storage!..he he he) And I can peek into that place and see their beautiful smiles, hear their wonderful laughs and feel their unconditional love any time I want too.
Thank you all for coming. A special thanks to our friend, who let us know she was going to be in San Antonio on business so that this opportunity came to be.
And thanks to all of you here at MIP and Al-anon the world over for welcoming me into this wonderful, loving, caring family. What a truly great group of people we are!
What a pleasure it was, David, to spend even a little part of the week-end with you and the others. I LOVED the restaurant. Who cares if the other one was closed? Probably wasn't as good anyway!!! I even enjoyed the parking lot chase. LOL!! I hope that we can meet soon again; the more the merrier. I had a great time. Next time I will show you my totally secret parking place downtown. You might find it handy...if my car's not in it...........
With best wishes, Diva
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"Speak your truth quietly and clearly..." Desiderata
What a lovely share. Thank you for including all of us in the meeting. I know when I have been in other groups I have felt like I was on the outside looking in. I don't feel like it with this meeting you all had. I feel so priviledged to know how it was for all of you and how you processed it. For someone who grew up steeped in deprivation and carried that on with the A that is such a gift.
I was told that when I meet you I would love you and that you were a big tall Teddy Bear with a big soft heart!! I had encreditable weekend too meeting you all!!! I too was scared and nervous but excited all at the same time!!!!! It went fast and I too hope to see you all again!!!
I'm glad you all had a great time! I'm still dreaming of that Alanon World Cruise! I did buy a lottery ticket, alas not this time. The cruise will have to wait. But hey dreams are important. To quote a favorite song of mine:
"You've got to have a dream. If you don't have a dream. How you gonna have a dream come true?"
Live strong, Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
WOW! Awesome post David! Thank-you, it brought tears to my eyes. I wish that someday I might meet some of you, you are all such wonderful, caring people and have a very special place in my cyber-heart.(now I can picture you as a big fluffy teady-bear), Love, TLC
What a beautiful share , Elvis. Thank you so much. I was excited for all of you who were able to meet in SA. Now, you and Senora and Bubbles made me almost feel I was there too.
Ok Ok I cried too...darnit!!!! A nice chatty 87 year old man kept me from bawling to hard on the plane...teehee.
What a wonderful place to be with all such wonderful friends!!! I went down there with my Al-Anon program packed in my bags, and I found some lovely people with program in their bags too.
I'll be back down there one day cowboy packing some rainclouds with me!!!! Best have them teddy bear hugs lined up and your spleen uncluttered!!!!
Take Care,
Much Love, SenoraBob
-- Edited by bob6502 at 03:10, 2006-09-18
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Higher Power doesn't always wrap presents in pretty paper.
)
"You've got to have a dream. If you don't have a dream. How you gonna have a dream come true?" 
