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Al-Anon Alive
12/2008
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As a man walking into my first
meeting, I was filled with fear, anger,
and frustration. I didn't like myself and
took life very seriously.
What I found in that room was a
group of women and two men who
were laughing and enjoying life. The
program for the night was a speaker's
meeting. I identified with the lady
who shared her story and knew I was
in the right place. In the meeting, I
saw my wife's former boss, my sixth
grade teacher, a lady from the bank,
and another woman who worked in a
clothing store. The speaker's husband
used to work for my father. Wow, I
knew these people! I liked them and
wanted whatever it was that they had.
During the meeting, I received love,
acceptance, and the idea that I could
get better. The members of the group
told me to come to AL-Anon until I |
wanted to and they said it was a lifelong
program. I never questioned them. I
just did what they told me to do. Soon
I was laughing and beginning to like
myself. My fear and anger went away.
"I identified with the lady
who shared her story. . ."
Now after 21 years in AI-Anon,
only one of those wonderful people
still attends our group. Most of the
members passed away or are no longer
able to attend meetings. Some just
quit coming.
The longtime members who were
around when I started this journey
saved my life, which gave me a chance
to enjoy each and every day. Now I'm
telling newcomers to "Keep Coming
Back." I tell them AL-Anon is a lifelong
program and that it works. |
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, AL-Anon Family
Group Hdqts., Inc.
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