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 it is now officially my Alanon 1 year anniversary.
I came here exactly one year ago, afraid, unsure, confused, shy and beyond lonely. How I found this site I don't recall. Must have been HP leading the way. I didn't know if I was coming or going. (There are days when I still don't. ) But I was welcomed with open arms by too many people to count: Megan, Uncle Lou, Tea, Kitty, David and on and on. Hubby was still active, but living in a half way house. Didn't know that he was drinking. More importantly, I didn't know how sick I was.
But through your encouraging words and support I was able to educate myself more and more about his disease and my sickness. It took me awhile to venture into the chat room. I was shy and heck I wasn't even sure if I knew how to do an online chat! Boy how naive was I when I came here. I figured he went to rehab, and yes, relapsed because it was my fault. NOT! I was sure he wasn't going to relapse. NOT! I'm a pretty educated woman and I thought I knew everything about this disease. After all, I have a social science background. WRONG!
But through it all, this family, all of you made me realize gently and sometimes not so gently (thank you Diva) the error of my ways. You've taught me so much about me. About life. About the unconditional love of a family who's bond is based on a horriffic disease. You've made me laugh till my ribs ached! You've made me cry when I hear of other's suffering. You've given me the tools to get stronger. You've picked me up when I have stumbled, tumbled and just tripped over my 2 left feet.
Where I was, where I am now, and where I am going has so much to do with the love and support I have been given here. When I asked hubby to leave for the last time, my heart was breaking and you gave me comfort. When he laid dying in ICU you said extra prayers for all of us. Bless you CJ, Tea, Andrea, Lmt, Mac, Bump, and all the rest of you. When he came home from the hospital and I changed my mind about him living here, you didn't judge me. You supported me. When I celebrate his sobriety, you cheer for all of us. Thank you Abbyal for posting such great things. Louise you have got this program down pat. I have learned so much from you, you'll never know. Thank you to John for giving us this site. It really is a Miracles in Progress! Thank you to everyone, old, new and in-between for all your hard work and dedication. I may not always agree with the posts, and heaven knows you've probably thought my posts were a bit off the wall, but I have learned so much from them.
From the bottom, top, side and every part of my heart, THANK YOU ALL! I LOVEYOU ALL DEARLY. As I continue on this journey of recovery, know that I hold everyone of you in my heart and will keep all of you in my prayers. I am beyond blessed.
Thank you for sharing this very special day with me. Sept. 1, 2005 is the day I started taking back my life. Thank you for being the light to guide my way through the forest.
Live strong,
Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
Congrats sister!!! I remember when you first came, boy!!! You've made leaps and bounds. We both went through the same thing and I think that bonded us, along with the program :)
love you, GF Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
CONGRATULATIONS KARILYNN, on your anniversery. I do hope that I can learn as much as you have here at MIP. I am still new and don't go into the chat room, because I feel kinda weird, but maybe that will come soon too. Reading the things you felt when you first came here, is sooo many of the things I feel now. I don't post too much, because I worry that I don't make a whole lot of sense.
You seem so strong and have so much good advice. Even though I don't post much, I read alot and your post ,along with lots of others from the family ,I get so much good advice.
I sure hope I can stick it out as long as you have and get much more educated.
((((((Karilyn))))). CONGRATULATIONS on 1 year of growth!!!! I am so proud to see the growth and progress that you have made, good work!
Even though you were scared and lonely, you had the strength to reach out for help and grab onto the program tooth and nail and work as hard as you could to get well.
Enjoy wellness and health and your own recovery.
May Pipers kitty and hubby celebrate along with you as you enjoy your new lease on life.
My friend, you have truly taken back your life from the awful affects of this devastating disease.
Keep living strong!
In support and with love
Megan
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Megan
If you want things you never had you need to do things you have never done
Isn't it amazing?!?!? It truly is a Miracle to see the growth in the people who come into this place broken down and watch them slowly take back themselves! I love it! And I am so proud of YOU...and All of us!
Congratulations on turning 1 today!
Ya know, at the conference I went to last weekend, a speaker talked about reading something that said the "average" human would have 5 good friends in their life time! How lucky we are, those of us whom have been fortunate enough to find this wonderful program of recovery. How many, many truly awesome beautiful people do we get to know, love and call friend.
We are so Blessed!!!!
Thanks for sharing your birthday with us! May you have many, many more!
I had no idea we had both come to know this site at almost the exact same time. I just know for me, it was some time in late August or early September of 2005. I was in so much pain and felt so afraid, that I can't even remember the date, exactly. I looked for some hope and support online at the urging of my son (A). He could see how sick I was as he was working on his own recovery. I felt so out of place here, like I didn't belong, like my story was so different and my situation was not like anyone else's. I didn't know how to begin to post here, so I went into the chat room immediately. I, too, was greeted with open arms and was shown how to let out what I was feeling by so many wonderful people here. I cried many tears with all of you and laughed many times, as well. Boy, did it ever feel good to laugh again. So, dear Kari, I can relate to you so much and I also know that it's not just my story and situation that is different..........we are all unique, because that's just how HP made us to be. And he makes no mistakes.
You have been such an inspiration to me, Kari, with your sense of humor, your way of showing how much compassion you have and by the example you set as you walk through your recovery. Thank you so much for being my friend. I hope I can give back to you in some way, all that you have given to me. Keep taking care of you and I am so happy you, hubby and piper kitty are doing so well. One day at a time!
Wow only 1 year. You seem so much more experienced than that. I am so very glad that we have met. It has been especially nice to have someone to talk to by phone when needed too. We have both been through those medical problems with our A's as well and could even compare notes as they were treated in the same hospital (not at the same time of course).
Keep up your program. You have been an inspiration to us all.
) But I was welcomed with open arms by too many people to count: Megan, Uncle Lou, Tea, Kitty, David and on and on. Hubby was still active, but living in a half way house. Didn't know that he was drinking. More importantly, I didn't know how sick I was. 
I have learned so much from you, you'll never know. Thank you to John for giving us this site. It really is a Miracles in Progress! Thank you to everyone, old, new and in-between for all your hard work and dedication. I may not always agree with the posts, and heaven knows you've probably thought my posts were a bit off the wall, but I have learned so much from them.
(((((Karilynn))))) 