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.
... a lot of things about me were damaged and wounded. In my growing years- sometimes- my reality was too much to bear.
I treasure and celebrate little changes, moment on moment, day by day, dia por dia, month by month and year by year.
I attend a meeting on Wednesdays in Kent- Great Britain. It is a small fledgling group, which I like. I really do like the "first day in school" feel, sometimes...
...and this is my home group- in actuality.
The things about the wounds, and reality, is that I have to imagine y'all here. We all know each other through words. Occasionally I find a little more about one person- and that enlarges the image, a little.
The "now you see me, and now you don't" appeals a lot!
My last two meetings in the USA were in Rapid City SD. They were very different. One along at the School of Mines, and 't'other in a dedicated Alanon room at an AA clubhouse.
I have been to these clubhouses in Florida, Georgia, Texas NYC and, of course SD.
This is how I picture the MIP groups working together. Though of course Alanon is by far the biggest group here.
In both the Rapid City groups I could be myself. I did not have to conform to some expectation of the people there.
i was a real person, and a field worker, mostly. Before that I worked on a railway gang.
I did not expect to ever get overseas, but by the grace of our HP, this became possible.
We have family in Florida and South Dakota. A brother in Texas.
What I am on about is getting to a meeting. If three or people read this i will be happy.
This morning I was dressed up and attending our Remembrance day observance.
After wards I had some ginger beer with some old veterans.
I felt relaxed and I laughed and chatted with the blokes.
This is not the me that used to be!
Almost a completely different person... ...
I did not have to travel to a meeting. I am just sitting here.
Some place I would have to attend three or four meetings, just to have a share like this!
I listen as I read and feel you've had cool experiences. Like being beamed around the globe in a way both physically and now with technology virtually too. Thats one up side for the 12 step family of covid. Easy access to a much broader range of meetings.
I think what gives me an A+ alanon experience is using all the resources available. I miss my home group, F2F in person meeting, but we are on zoom and I still get to see some of the people with whom I have shared ESH with for over 7 years. I joined this board prior to my F2F and obtained Betty as my sponsor. I think it's the sum total of practicing program in all the ways possible that empower me to cope with my A and grow as a person. Like you David, I come from a background of pain, shame, abuse, etc. I now feel like a much improved version of myself, and thank all the people here who respond to me. :)
... a lot of things about me were damaged and wounded. In my growing years- sometimes- my reality was too much to bear.
...
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