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.
I have found and still am finding that working this Recovery Programme, is not easy. I have been challenged many, many, times as to staying in here, and going through the tough times, especially introducing changes within my Life. I have shed many tears, and have/had lots of Fears, over the time. But I thought that I would like to share a much lighter side of working my Programme, and it has brought many laughs. There are 3 of them, so here goes.
N0, 1. I had one of my Grand Daughters down to stay with me one day, she was about 4. It was time for me to instill a Boundary with her, so sat her down beside me, and said that I had something to say to her, and that I wanted her to listen. So I started, saying that I knew that at her Home, she had rules, and that at my Home I had different rules, as to not just helping herself, in the Cupboards, and Fridge, and that she had to ask me, if she wanted something. I was on a roll, and then I stopped and looked down at her. Noticing that she had her hands over her ears, I stopped talking and took one of her hands off her ears, and said to her" Sweetheart, Nanie Wendy is talking to you and I really want you to listen". She looked back up at me,so seriously, and said, " But Nanie Wendy, I was just keeping it all in". What could I say after that, I just burst out laughing.
No 2. It was when my 2 Grand Sons were younger, and they use to come to my place after School, I knew that they were being brought up in a very angry Home. They use to hit, pinch punch each other, at times, when they were here. I thought about it for awhile, and then decided I had had enough. So sat them down, and explained to them, when my Brothers and myself were growing up, we couldn't sit at the table without fighting, never friends, and I didn't like it one bit. So I went on and told them, that from now on, that when they walked through my door, to come to see me, that this was a Peace Zone, not a War Zone. That there would be no more Hitting, etc. After that they tried in their own way to challenge my boundary, but I was consistent, and wouldn't give in.
So, one day, I went over to their home, getting out of the car, they both were walking towards me. My youngest Grand Son, had very Irish coloured hair, and the nature to go with it. He looked at me, and deliberately hit his older brother, and said to me," See, Nanie Wendy, we are not in your Peace Zone now". I looked back at him and replied"Darling, I have just extended the boundary,and where I go, it will always be a Peace Zone. He got the message.
No 3. My Youngest Great Grand Son come to stay with me, one day a week. He is nearly 5. He knows that I keep, Freddo Frogs, and Poppas in my Fridge for him and others. So one day, he decided to help himself, and opened the Fridge. I looked up at him and asked him what was he doing, he already had the Frogs in his hand. I told him to put it back, and that he wasn't allowed to help himself, he had to ask me, and if he did go into the Fridge and help himself, then he wouldn't get anymore Frogs, Poppas.I was standing beside him making him put them back. That I was the only one to open the Fridge, my hand had to be on the top of the door. By this time he had his hand on the bottom of the door, he didn't say anything for awhile, and then looked back up at me, and said, 'I know, Nanie Wendy, how about you have you hand on the top of the door, and I will have my hand on the bottom, and we will both open it together. What could I say to that.I just laughed, as I knew he was too smart for me.
I have lots of Grand Children, Great Grand Children, they bring me lots of tears, but the best part, lots of Laughter, and Love. Which all of the ones, that I have in my life, they get all of that from me.My Programme has taught me to Laugh, and show Love, and most importantly, to pass it on.
Oh ma'am... they were lovely stories- and it shows the strength of what we learn here! Our two youngest grand-kids were in the paper this morning- with very Irish hair colour. In ages past Wales was a province of Ireland- and I suppose that figures... ...
...cricket looks good this weekend. We colonials will always close ranks where dealing with the home country is concerned. ...
(((Wendy))) - your stories made my heart smile! I find that it's the little people in my life who truly teach me about life, learning, curiosity, new adventures, laughter and so, so much more. Love, love, love your shares about your experiences! (((Hugs)))
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Wendy, your share lifted my spirits today! Thank you for sharing them.
My most favorite part though, was your response to your fiery-haired grandson... "Darling, where I go it will always be a Peace Zone." LOVE IT!
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
Hi David, waiting for the Cricket to come on, I think it is Day Night one in Adelaide. I don't mind the Day Night ones, but they say Rain is predicted. Can't wait for New Zealand to come over here, as the Pakistan Team is very young, and inexperienced, especially the 16 Year old. But he held his own in the First Tests. It was very unbalanced, as Australia,beat them hands down.
So awaiting the NZ team, will be so different. More of a contest, you know who I will be barracking for. I am so frustrated, I just tried something knew, and send an Email to inquire about a food product, couldn't for the life of me find, the codes, batch no on the Bottle, so the Email won't go. I don't give my Email Address out a lot, as I don't want to open the gates and get all of the rubbish back. They make is seem so easy.
I am having a Rest Day, today, as had my Great Grand Son yesterday. Always an interesting time we have. Can I ask, about your two Grand Sons, regarding being in the Paper? How old are they.
Hope You have a lovely weekend what ever you are doing.
We went to Thanksgiving last night. It was a sort of Malaysian tea, but there were three Americans and one Canadian there! Our grandkids were there with their two bestest friends- running round the yard causing a hullaballoo- with the other kids that were there.
I have two bio grandkids. Our son has a step daughter, and my step-daughter has three kids, if you can follow that! Two of the latter were sleeping over here last night and have rowing this morning.
I used to farm, and irrigate, so getting up early comes naturally. [Irrigation is more efficient away from the sun!]
But, if I may, I will post a link to the skite photo- with our youngest grandkids... a girl and a boy aged 7 and 10?
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