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.
Well, next Friday I will be leaving for my once in a lifetime vacation and I am having alot of anxiety about it. I want so much to be happy and excited.
Starting off on Thurs 7/21 will be leaving Baltimore heading to San Francisco for 2 nights. Leaving San Francisco on Sunday 7/23 and going to Honolulu for 4 nights. Leaving Honolulu on Thurs 7/27 and going to Japan for 8 nights. Returning home on Fri 8/4.
Most of my anxiety stems from the long flights. Although it will be broken up in the beginning it will be practically a non-stop flight home from Japan.
Next my anxiety is leaving A son for so long and not knowing anything that is going on in his life. I will give my family the phone number in Japan but told them not to contact me unless there was a death. I do hope I can enjoy this trip without the worry of what he is doing. I don't usually know what he is doing anyway but at least I am just a phone call away.
My younger son and his wife (she is from Japan) are traveling with us. We will be visiting her family in Japan. They have so many things planned for us to do. This will probably be my one and only time going there. Her family has already visited our country. I am sure they will come back again one day. However, I am pretty sure this will be a 1 time trip for me (lol)
Please keep me in your prayer that I will be ok on this trip. Worry and anxiety free is what I will be praying for.....oh and being able to communicate with people.
Japan is a long flight. But please take this time to enjoy it. The fact that you are going with someone is always a plus. I ususally look foward to long trips. Make sure to pack a carry on that has some things in it just for you. I'm not talking about the necessities. You're smart enough to do that. I mean that give you pleasure. For instance, a book that you've always wanted to read. I pack along my favorite perfume in solid form, because it relaxes me. Really good socks that mositurize your feet for that long flight etc.
I can understand about being a bit aprehensive about leaving your son. However give him to his HP to take care of. There is nothing you can do about him, except pray. An addict is going to do what an addict is going to do, sober or active. There is nothing you can do about it.
This maybe a once in a lifetime trip. So make the most of it. We'll keep you in our prayers.
Love and blessings to you and your family. Eat lots of sushi for me. Bon Voyage!
Live strong, Karilynn
__________________
It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
Gaily, I sure know how you feel. May I suggest to work on the let go and let god saying now? Surrender to your hp your concerns about your son.
Since you cannot control him, let it go and picture him in hp's hands. When ya start to worry do this every time.
When I do this, I breath out the worry. Take deep breaths and blow them out. Ya sorta let it go and surrender/relax.
You can let it go, take a break from it. It is ok. Can you talk to your son? If so, maybe just tell him how much he means to you, how proud you are of him. Don't mention the aism. Detach from that and talk to the son you love.
Then when you are gone, you will know, you said all ya needed/wanted to.
Trust him. Tell him you trust him to take care of himself.
These are only my thoughts. I have a son, so I understand the love and bonding you have.
You will have a good time. When ya think of him, think, "everything is ok." Say the serenity prayer.
My sis went to Japan and loved it. hugs and love,debilyn
Wow - what a vacation - That's a special blessing from your HP - I could never do that - I almost had to take a dramamine just reading your post with all that flying - I get motion sickness very, very easily - no way I could fly to Japan!! - Hope you have a great time and enjoy the trip.
As for your son, imagine him at his favorite thing to do like fish, read, ride bike, etc. - and send him off to do that with his Higher Power on the best trip possible - or imagine him as a child with his favorite toy and send him off playing with his HP in the safe "toy room" any time you feel worried - then he's in his HP's hands and maybe off your mind so you can relax and enjoy your trip.
Can't wait to get the details of what a great time you had!!
Live and Let Live,
Rita
__________________
No matter what me and my God are going to be ok, even better than OK -
If you let me sneak in your suitcase I will help ya keep your serenity!
Seriously, one thing to remember, you are not going alone you have HP with you and us of course.. You have us with you. If you start to feel yourself worry, just feel our arms giving you a hug, try to remember something you heard in a meeting or read here that gave you some ESH. When I am away from my computer or my phone list of people this is what I do.
You deserve to have a wonderful time.
Yours in Recovery,
Dolphin123
__________________
"Today's problems can not be solved if we still think the way we did when we created them" -Albert Einstein
Bon Voyage!
