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.
Just reading your encouraging words makes me feel more at ease. I do live in a small town where every one knows everybodys business, it does make it more difficult for a meeting. It has been 17 years since I last went to one, never thought I would have to again. This is wonderful getting to type out my feeelings and know someone else can relate to what I'm feeling. I tend to try and help everyone else that has to deal with my AH, to let them know he does not mean things and try to cover up at times how bad it gets. Just in reading some replys I realize I need to focus on myself and get myself healthy. Having older kids who didn't go through the ugly mess earlier in our lives, they were with relatives a lot and he better behaved around them. Well it kills me for them to see how he can get and the uglinees that comes out while intoxicated. I want to keep them from it so bad but I guess they are old enough to know now, 23 and 19. I have explained some but just in typing this out, I realize I should take them to a meeting, yes that is what I need to do. Thanks for listening. Lakegirl
One of the interesting things I found out about anonymoty actually happend this week when I went to see a specialist about my, ahem, bowel problems.
In my family, any body problems were not discussed, let alone dealt with! You just sucked it in. So when I went to the doctor, and she referred me to a specialist, I was totally humiliated. What will people think of me? I kept spinning in my head. So when I got to the doctor's office, the first thing that struck me was "This place is kept so quiet. So private. They're really serious about privacy here." Hmmmm. So when I get escorted to the room, I notice THERE that the FRONT door I entered by is made of THICK, THICK oak wood--and so were the hall way doors behind me. And then it occured to me, "Everyone's here for the same reason. Everyone knows why everyone's here!"
And all of the sudden, it didn't matter WHAT my problem was. Who cared? I was there to see MY doctor. No one else. That's how Al Anon works no matter how small or big the town--everyone knows why you're there at the meeting. It's no one else's business. If I let go of I my ego, I can get the e/s/h I need to recover.
Hmmmm. So when I get escorted to the room, I notice THERE that the FRONT door I entered by is made of THICK, THICK oak wood--and so were the hall way doors behind me. And then it occured to me, "Everyone's here for the same reason. Everyone knows why everyone's here!" 
And all of the sudden, it didn't matter WHAT my problem was. Who cared? I was there to see MY doctor. No one else. That's how Al Anon works no matter how small or big the town--everyone knows why you're there at the meeting. It's no one else's business. If I let go of I my ego, I can get the e/s/h I need to recover.