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.
Got a heads up this last evening that one of the local MJ advocates just passed on. I hadn't heard from him for a while and in the past had some personal contact in public. My son told me that the man tried to "turn him on" to some very "great Cannabis" and my son could see thru it as a pass user. "John" tried to run for office and told me he couldn't understand why no one voted for him and that we would all suffer the consequences. I remember telling him that people usually did not vote for people they didn't want in office. His response a thoughful..oh. He once showed up at a council hearing dressed in a military flight suit complete with helmet and blacked out visor announcing himself as "Captin....." I forgot who and then removed the helmet to make his show even more grand. He had his property raided several times and spent time in jail. He along with several others (who humoruously didn't get along well together) made attempt after attempt at legalizing pot on this island. One has created a church and MJ is the sacrament...haven't heard from him lately either. The other has stopped trying to make "his thing" "thee thing." I have no idea where the one who use to attend council meetings to sing (literally...with guitar playing) his complaints beyond the allowed time limit. He may also be dead...certainly silent. And things were silent for a while. I hadn't heard from John or any of the others and never paused to ask what was going on. For me a part of the problem seemed solved or just abandoned for a while.
It's okay to disagree with these people. I did and also at some of the same council meetings. It is okay to present my stand and experience, strength and hope before them and let them take what they like and leave the rest. A 12th step doesn't mean I confine myself only to those ready for help. I have learned that a 12th step can sometimes lead a person to seek help and then I never 12 stepped any of these guys cause that wasn't my intention. My intention was to present a different voice, a different attitude, a different perspective. I can still do that and will. Only John has died for now. I am able to pray for him and his family.
Pot is abundant and what is more in the limelight is Meth "Ice" another thing I am powerless over. We did give the next generation the information on addiction in the family. God I hope it has stuck!! What is worst of all though is Alcohol...Booze and Boozism. Ancient wrecking ball, 3000 years older than the birth of Christ and still going very very strong.
Thank HP for Al-Anon and AA to offer both a safety net for the Alcoholic and those who are touched by this family disease and a stumbling block for those headed for relapse.
I asked HP to (((((John A))))) and his (((((Family))))). Maybe they will find the same doors to recovery that we have.
A year or so I learned that a man I knew in the UK had died from his alcoholism. He had everything I always wanted, wealth, success, artistic opportunity, travel the works. At the same time he was an alcoholic. I am glad I have not had to deal with that on a personal level.
I am always aware of how dysfunction can level the playing field. Thank you for reminding me of the larger suffering in the world.
