Attended an Inspiring AlAnon Meeting This Morning.

I attend a meeting/called "room" for Al Anon each Sat morning here in Lexington.
Today was exceptional.

The format is the reading of the 12 steps, a short reading or presentation by a facilitator and opening the floor for sharing amongst the 30 members present. This morning was intense for the first person who shared spoke of her children, her ex spouse and the lies he is telling. Her child is struggling in school. She wept so hard that I could not hear all her words. We knew she was in great pain and suffering from his attacks. I was not the only person crying in the room by the time she completed her sharing.

Some of the sharing:
1. The need to detach in love to protect oneself.
2. What the alcoholic does is on "his side of the street."
3. Codependency may continue after divorce.
4. A sharing that made us laugh "I am so in need of helping the other. One day I found an 80 year old man and gave him an enema" Our faces I am sure expressed our "What??" She responded with "I am a RN" We laughed with a whole lot of relief!
5. Children are resilient if given the chance, support and information.
6. One mother shared how she helped her six year old express and discuss her anger.
7. Miracles occur: one woman's ex is now sober 21 months and good father to his 3 daughters.
8. Over and over sharing included the need for trust in our God/higher power, not only our higher power, but that of each of our family members. God has a plan for each person's life and we must not get in the way.
9. Over and over the role of a sponsor working with the AlAnon member was affirmed and thanks were shared.

God is present in each of our lives. For me it is the God of Evolution, calling us forth to create a more human life and species. AlAnon is a very supportive process for finding our true selves in the midst of chaos and living our very best selves. Thanks to Bob and Bill the founders of AlAnon and to his wife who founded AlAnon.