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.
There were torential rain downpooring, I am not a good driver, don't know my way around exept to work, my daughters school, and her job. The route to meeting same as route to work, great eh? WRONG,,,,,,,,,, traffic was blocked, there was an accident, so had to find alternative route. I finally made it.
I was planning to get to meeting late anyway, that way I could just go in, avoid chit chat. Actually was hoping there would be a table outside door , like fleamarket, so I could buy odaat and leave.
Edna suggest I pick up rock outside and hold it, would be like I had all you there with me. So much rain,and in dark, couldn't find rock. When I got in church, I went to bulliten board and took a push in, would have to do.
When I found room, I first stood outside, as meeting was in progress, and I wasn't sure if it was the right meeting, and I started to tear up already.
A man came out, asked if I was looking for alanon, and invited me in. As the girl who was sharing was talking, they handed me paplets and phone numbers. At end, asked if I wanted to talk or ask questions, but I declined. They did say to keep coming back.
There were many tears in that meeting as ppl shared, one person there 17 yrs and had tears, so I figure I'm 17 years ahead in recovery, lol.
I don't know what I was afraid of , waiting so long to go. Funny, if it were any A in my life, I wouldn't have hesitated to go to AA meeting with them, but this for me, and I waited so long.
When I read the reading for May 18, was amazed, it about a women going to alanon looking for help to fix her husband.................... Wow,when I first came here, that what I was looking for too, help to fix my brother.
There really is an HP, and I think through the rain, the route being rerouted, not finding a rock, and having to use a pushpin to fiddle with ( and believe me, when you already not feeling great, a little uncomfortable, a push pin not a good thing to fiddle with) I still made it.
At end,one women, so cute, new all the local meetings by heart, the times, the addresses and all, and told me I could go to any of them, she goes to all. What a sweetie.
I'm so glad you went to your f2f. I went to my first one 3 weeks ago & everyone was wonderful. Now I go twice a week & it has helped me so much. I was like you, it was very hard & I was super nervous to go to the first one. I hope you will keep going. I think it's such a blessing to be around other people who really understand what you're going through. I have learned so much already & am really sorry I didn't go years ago. I'm going in hope of saving myself b/c I'm convinced my A will drink till he dies.
I think I somehow draw strength from the other women at my meeting & I don't feel so alone anymore. I hope you have the same. I wish peace & strength for you. Hope
I'm so glad you got to your first f2f meeting eve. Such a wonderful experience. I remember mine, 16 years ago. I had been in Adult Children of Alcoholics mtg. for about a year with my boyfriend and realized that since I was not an ACOA, I needed to find a place where I belonged. I had had two previous marriages to persons with drinking problems, so I chose al-anon, and i'm so glad I did.
I remember the lady I sat next to (remember her face, not her name) and told her about ACOA, she said she guessed that was an ok program for some, but had been to one and felt like all they did was sit around and complain and blame their parents for their problems. It made me mad, but after a year in the progarm I realized the ACOA group I had been in did just that! (they are not all llike that, i'll confirm), so in a way i bristled to the truth, usual tactic for me! lol
Thank God I Kept coming Back, and now 16 years later, I'm proud to be an ol-timer myself. We live for you newbies. Thanks for sharing your e,s & h EVe.
I'm delighted for you....Hmmmm "Told you so"....lol
You are a wondelful person, your spirit shines through to all who are fortunate to meet you......You have brough many a smile to the people in chat!!!!
This is your chance to experience, the things most of us have...
Keep that pin, Note all the meetings, and get into it...It's a wonderful uplifting experience at f2f...On-line is a great substitute, and helps with recovery..But...When you feel all that love in the one room, get the hugs, you have been denied for most of your life...WOW..
Wishing you all the best in your new found recovery.
Eve Eve Eve lol So PROUD of ya for getting there. I for one know it wasnt easy..but u did it!
Keep going back there is nothing expected of ya but to sit with an open mind n listen, getting to know other ppl and listening to their ESH, and if ur anything like myself u will soon be shareing n talking and striking up wonderful friendships.
You do need to ask for phone numbers etc but that will come in your own time just relax and enjoy ans hearing others is similar as in chatroom u will pick up on their experiences etc.
I too was like u in the beginning lol now they cant keep me away lol
It's only by pushing ourselves a bit past our comfort zone that we grow, really. Good for you for making that push - I'll bet you've gained a little confidence already.
Congratulations for not letting anything stop you from getting to the meeting. I can hear my own mind telling me, rain.....traffic problems.....its not MEANT TO BE!
I like to see it differently now. Those are things that happen in our lives every day! Obstacles. They only are if we let them be.
((((eve eve eve))) ... Congratulations, big step. Great Step. One that I know of noone that has ever regretted. I'm very proud of you for your determination and....ya followed through and you made that meetin. YES.
Keep Workin iT is sooo Worth IT!
It just takes GET BUSY (workin your program) & (You) Get Better. WorK It WorkIT!!
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eve 
..ya followed through and you made that meetin. YES. 
is sooo 