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 seldom invite people to my house ... not because I don't like people, but because I want to be a "perfect" hostess and am not sure I know how to do that, and I believe it would be too stressful for me.
Last night, Christmas Eve, I decided to go to the Al-Anon meeting that's nearest my home. It's usually a big meeting, 20 or 30 people, and I figured I would just sit and listen. When I showed up at the meeting place, a few people were standing around outside the building. There had been a mix-up, the building thought we were not scheduled because of the holiday, and no one could get the key to let us in. Some folks searched on their phones to see if there was a nearby coffee shop where we could meet. But -- Christmas Eve -- everything was closed.
Suddenly I said, I live near here -- let's go to my place. And within a few minutes, and my address in everyone's GPS, a half-dozen Al-Anons were coming up my driveway and into my house. One man accidentally knocked on the next-door neighbor's door before getting to my place.
People have to go up a flight of stairs to get to my living room where we would meet. The staircase has 12 steps (seriously!! I realized this while thinking about all these people coming to my home).
We had a real meeting, complete with the Serenity Prayer, traditional readings, individual shares, and closing with holding hands and the Al-Anon Declaration. I felt so honored to have these people at my home -- which was not perfectly prepared, but had all we needed: some chairs and some Al-Anon literature (I have all the books!! My nerdiness was an asset!! And some folks had the Al-Anon readings in their phones.)
People who would have been alone or in pain on this holiday were in the presence of a group who understood, were heard, got hugs, and were not alone. They thanked me, but I believe I received more than anyone else.
I have always wanted to have a real, meaningful, spiritual experience for Christmas -- and this was it.
I believe it was the Divine that interceded and blessed all of you this night!
Blessed them, for as you said, "People who would have been alone or in pain on this holiday were in the presence of a group who understood, were heard, got hugs, and were not alone."
Blessed YOU, because your heart was open and you allowed all those people into your personal space (even though not "perfectly prepared"). Not only that, you did not experience stress because of it...you had that magical, spiritual Christmas experience!
Thank you Freetime, for extending that spiritual experience!! and Merry Christmas!
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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
(((Freetime))) - thank you for the great story/share...if you're like me, when you made the gesture to host, a part of you wondered 'did I just say that out loud?' How wonderfully grand that you were able to open your home, heart and mind and provide a solution in lieu of any formal planning. I do believe in miracles in recovery and this sure sounds like one of those to me.
Your post/share made my heart smile. (((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
What a great story - thank you so much for your service, FT. Especially on a holiday - I try to make it a point to show up on holidays. The meeting may be sparsely attended, but I want to make sure someone's there in case if someone else is in pain and needs a meeting.
What a great way to step out of your comfort zone in the spirit of service.
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