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 went to a face-to-face alanon meeting Sat. a.m. I haven't been to one in probably over six months, so feeling kinda proud of myself. It was a good meeting and I think I felt comfortable, because of all of the recent posting back and forth to people on here made me realize that these are the same people in the f2f meetings. I have never felt real comfortable in groups and always feel like I somehow don't fit in, but through posting on here and reading posts, it made me feel like I am not alone and people are just people . . . everyone going through the effects of alcohol on their lives.
I talked with a woman in her 80's who separated from her AH 5 times during their almost 50 year marriage, finally divorced, but is now living with him due to financial needs. I told her that I was separated, but would like to get back with my AH. She told me that everyone has to figure out what's best for themselves. She said that ideally, she would not be with her AH, but has made the choice to because of her age and finances. But she keeps coming back to alanon to give her the strength, faith, and hope to live life. It made me sad to think about how long she has dealt with this in her life . . . and how much happier she could have been if she could have just stayed away from him. But like she said, everyone has to make their own decisions and do what's best for them. The principles and steps of alanon help her live the happiest life with the choices she has made.
It's not always a fairy tale ending, but we can find peace even in the most difficult choices and circumstances. No matter how old we are.
Anyway, it just gave me a lot to think about in my own situation. I can look at her experience and alanon and my HP and try and make the best choice for me.
krise, I want to thank you for this post, Faith,Hope and Strength, are things that I have not had in my mind for many years. I had pretty much given up, until I found MIP, I have only been coming here for a few days and my outlook on life has changed tremendously. Before I found this forum, I pretty much thought I was destined to live a misarable life. Now I feel like there is Hope. Thanks to you I have Strength and Faith to look forward to.
I am going to be honest, it has been very hard for me, not to say anything to my A about his drinking, but I feel that I have been doing well, compared to a week ago. I have quit holding grudges against him, and that is huge for me.
I try to sneak a peek on here everyday, and it is amazing at how much I learn. Given your post, I now have Faith and Strength to work on.
I never knew how much sharing ideas and reading and taking advice from other people, who had the same problems could help so much. So again, thanks for sharing your story. Jade
