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.
Been reading on the forum, such caring words and support I immediately signed up.
I've been involved with the 12 step programs since my teen years, after my father went into recovery. In some ways, the program is "part" of me, and in others, you'd think I wouldn't know an Al Anon principle if it hit me in the head . . .
I'm reaching out from a pretty remote place in North Idaho, where AA/Alanon meetings are combined, sort of, and my husband is going to them nightly. I've been invited by several to attend, and I appreciate it very much . . . just not going to the same meetings as my husb, he needs his time and I need mine. There are more distant "real" meetings, but driving is an adventure during winter :) , and I have a small farm of goats and poultry so I don't get out much.
Story is, I met my A seven years ago during a sober period where he was actively practising sobriety and spiritually, and when he told me he had a checkered history, I didn't "really" believe him. I thought he was exagerating, telling "fish stories", it seemed so far from his present self.
We moved from southern California to our present location a year and a half ago. He relapsed last March, and spent the entire summer disappeared on binges, spending our "retirement" money into the tens of thousands, you know the sad tale.
I finally kicked him out in January. He is living with two complete saints in the program in the same teeny town. I love him, like we all do our A's, but I can't live with him without going down myself.
So I'm basically very alone up here in beautiful north Idaho. My little herd of goaties and chickens and geese, a kitten, a Great Pyrenees puppy and a basenji keep me busy and my mind on good things, but I know I need the support and camraderie of Al Anon.
Just want to introduce myself and make a daily committment to read on this forum, share if it is the right thing to do, and thank you all for being "there" :) .
The nice thing about a history with 12 stepping - you may forget, but don't need more than a few knocks about the head to let the light back in. Some of us have taken years and years (and years) to get to the point it took you a few months to find.
Welcome, this site is a godsend to those of us in rural areas. I'm north of you, in Alberta.
welcome to MIP:) It was wonderful that you have your boundaries and you put them in place when need be. I bet you did not forget as much as you think. I would love to meet you some day in the chatroom meeting. We share our experiences and hope. I look forward to meeting and trust your HP is helping you a I type this.
Hi Kim. Glad to have you with us. I love the sound of your place, because I love being surrounded by animals. Have to admit though...my heart is here in the city of San Antonio where it is going up to 80F this afternoon. Yes!!!
You sound so very together. I felt peace reading your post. You know AlAnon, and you know you'll be fine. Please make a habit of visiting here. You'll grow to love this "family" very quickly.
Best of good wishes,
Diva
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"Speak your truth quietly and clearly..." Desiderata
Wow, thanks so much for the encouraging words!! I am very touched, very very. I really needed to hear "You go, girl!" as opposed to some of the junk I listen to in my own head.
I noticed when I posted the OP it was about time for an online meeting. I very much want to participate, and will.
Lin0606: I thought I was "north of all civilized lands". Brrrr! We've been getting hints of spring lately, temps in the 30's! I can hardly stay in the house . . .
DT1221: The boundary thing . . . I am very, very grateful for my inability to put up with BS past a certain point. I think that did come from being helped by exposure to certain 12 principles as a young kid. I don't have to live "that way". I make that decision! Yes!
Diva: I'm a city girl at heart, lived in Seattle and San Diego most of my life. San Diego weather is basically paradise, and so was Seattle compared to this :D . I prefer being surrounded by animals to be surrounded by people, mainly because it is in line with some of my more persistent control issues :D . As far as being "together", I'm amazed I'm doing as well as I am. Mainly, it's the stuff in my head, so being alone and unconnected to a healthy community is NOT GOOD. I'm going through a lot of "the motions" of healthiness whether I feel like it or not, most of the time. But I'm "suffering" too much from lack of connection with others, if you know what I mean, so thank God/HP for all of you!!!
Welcome to MIP and thanks very much for responding to my recent post. Like you, I also prefer to be surrounded by animals rather than people, especially crowds.......you're right,it's probably a control thing,lol.
I must say Lin0606, we rarely get THAT cold. It's funny, in San Diego when it gets in the low 60's I'd put on a sweater and complain . . . now when it's 28 F it feels like spring.
Shelbel, I've met more Idahoans online than in person . . . Idaho, the last of the Wild West. I'm living "near" Orofino, in the southeast part of the panhandle.
Howdy all from another Idahoan. I also have goats, sheep, etc. I'm in St Maries, S of Coeur d' Alene and we also got that cold this year. brrr is right. Guess I'm an animal people, too. They are so much easier to keep track of. Is that control talking?
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~Jen~
"When you come to the edge of all you know you must believe in one of two things... there will be earth on which to stand or you will be given wings." ~Unknown
