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.
My oldest took on some older sis roles and assisted me w/ some Easter shopping and preparing the baskets and hiding eggs. I was afraid that it was casting her into an adult role which she had too much of in her life, but her outlook was she wanted to see the looks on her siblings faces in the morning and later said it was preparing her for the day she had kids. (bonding time w/ my daughter, WOW).
I took the kids to brunch and ate entirely too much food. Hey some of us had to get our monies worth ! LOL They enjoyed brunch, my one daughter wouldn't eat because she thinks she is fat, I told her, how about we go for a hike later. That got a few more bites.
We got home and they wanted to go to the park w/ the dogs. Ugh, I ate too much. They went my son and I stayed home. I was going to walk down later but they came home. They sounded a bit disppointed that I didn't show.
We had also planned on watching a movie or two, that never trasnpired. I came to the realization that I was the only one that worried about it. LOL
We went for a hike around 5:30. Quickie for about 50 min. We ran home and got our stuff and ran out the door to make an 8pm start of the Nets basketball game. I was still hoping the girls would enjoy it. She claps rooting for the team, making noise when the cheers started and the smiles at the time out entertainment answered that.
At the end of the game I asked if they had ever seen the NYC skyline at night. I took a detour down to Hoboken which is on the Hudson and they saw what NYC looks like from NJ all lit up. The girls really appreciated it. My son found these checker/chess tables made of stone where someone had used pine cones and wood chips for checkers pieces. 11:30PM and here we are playing checkers under the stars and the backdrop of the skyline and the waves of the river rhythmically slapping agains the peer.
My 13yo told me it was the best Easter ever, brunch, hiking, game, NYC views. I drove home thinking often how grateful I was, how happy I was and thinking that considering I had no clue what I was really doing at 3pm on sat., that HP provided the means for a wonderful day.
In a downer in program, I was also waiting for the other shoe to drop, which it did when we got home and the dogs pee'd and poo'd and my 13 yo was upset. Even so before she went to bed she thanked me for a wonderful day.
what a nice day,
I spoke to the A today, had called but had to leave a msg yesterday. That might be another post. Needless to say, her attitude has nothing to do w/ my gratitude for my experience yesterday.
Bob
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You are a perfect child of God and God and I love you just the way you are! (added by me...in that special alanon way)
So often I see myself in your posts my friend. I could cry at the enjoyment of your day walking downtown. Those moments even in a happy family are so rare when you really connect with your children. I think that is something we lose site of sometimes. Even in a "perfect" family (whatever that is) those moments are few and far between.
We always want to do everything and I am so proud of you for finding the key moments in your day yesterday. It isn't about how much we do but what we do well that counts my friend. You keep being the best man and the best dad that you are! Don't forget that no matter how wonderful you are those teenagers will happily tear your heart out from time to time because they are still kids LOL.
You just keep checking in here and working your program and let us love you back to life :o)
Wow! That's sounds like an awesome day. I'm happy for you that you were able to enjoy your kids and all the beauty that was around you despite anything negative floating in the air. That's a true testimony to detaching with love... Thanks for sharing your day, I've never seen the NYC skyline either, I bet that's a sight. One day I'll get around to it.
Blessings,
Twinmom~
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"The people who don't mind matter and the people who mind, don't matter". (Dr. Seuss)
What a great easter! Boy that bit at the end of the day.....playing checkers under the stars seeing ny skyline...WOW!!!! Lovely thanks for sharing, David
yeah, I looked for a replacement pine cone in the dark, lol. And took one of the pine cones with me as a momento.
Bob
__________________
You are a perfect child of God and God and I love you just the way you are! (added by me...in that special alanon way)
I like how things like that just happen. Being spontaneous does have it’s positives. By doing so I am not setting myself up for any disappointments from any expectations or goals I may have not met on my to do list.
Even though they expressed they were happy yesterday, I am pretty sure the memories will last on and on And in time they will process all this and fully appreciate not only the day but their father all the more.
A 50 minute hike is a quickie??? That is a wonderful view from Hoboken and the whole day sounded wonderful. So glad you posted –thank you for sharing your day
I'm happy for you that you were able to enjoy your kids and all the beauty that was around you despite anything negative floating in the air. That's a true testimony to detaching with love... Thanks for sharing your day, I've never seen the NYC skyline either, I bet that's a sight. One day I'll get around to it. 
