August 2017 Selected Readings
This Is My Story
“I am so grateful to have the program to pull out and use in any situation.”
I lived with my parents until I was five. When they divorced, I went to live with my grandparents. I was so young, but people told me it was a very stressful time for everyone. My mother, sister and I were supposed to live at my grandparents until my mother could find a suitable place for us to live. She made poor choices and rented an apartment in a bad section of town. My grandparents intervened because they thought it was too dangerous.
Everything became complicated. My dad got an apartment and I visited him regularly, but I rarely saw my mother. Our interactions were short phone calls, if that. Life at my grandparents seemed very peaceful. When I entered kindergarten, I was behind the other students. I worked really hard, though, and now I am an honor roll student in ninth grade.
My sister started going to Alateen when I was ten. She interacted with my mother much more than I did and I assumed she needed more help than I did. About a year and a half later my grandma convinced me that I should try Alateen.
When I’m at an Alateen meeting, they ask us to talk about our first meeting. I always tell people how I walked outside ready to go, then walked right back in and said I would come again next week. Looking back, I realize how Alateen came into my life at the right time. I was just starting to see my mom more and I couldn’t understand why she did the things she did. Alateen showed me not everyone’s life is perfect and there are people out there who have the same kinds of stories that I do.
I have learned so much from this program. I can look at myself and see how much I have grown and the wisdom I have gained. It has been a long journey, and only recently have I been able to say that honestly and confidently.
I am so grateful to have the program to pull out and use in any situation. When I see my mother, I know how to act appropriately even when she may not. When I go to meetings, I feel like I am a part of something. I have made many friends. Today, I work hard in school, sports and music. The Alateen program has helped me lead a better, happier life.
By Kiana, Connecticut August 2017
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
“I am so grateful to have the program to pull out and use in any situation.”
I lived with my parents until I was five. When they divorced, I went to live with my grandparents. I was so young, but people told me it was a very stressful time for everyone. My mother, sister and I were supposed to live at my grandparents until my mother could find a suitable place for us to live. She made poor choices and rented an apartment in a bad section of town. My grandparents intervened because they thought it was too dangerous.
Everything became complicated. My dad got an apartment and I visited him regularly, but I rarely saw my mother. Our interactions were short phone calls, if that. Life at my grandparents seemed very peaceful. When I entered kindergarten, I was behind the other students. I worked really hard, though, and now I am an honor roll student in ninth grade.
My sister started going to Alateen when I was ten. She interacted with my mother much more than I did and I assumed she needed more help than I did. About a year and a half later my grandma convinced me that I should try Alateen.
When I’m at an Alateen meeting, they ask us to talk about our first meeting. I always tell people how I walked outside ready to go, then walked right back in and said I would come again next week. Looking back, I realize how Alateen came into my life at the right time. I was just starting to see my mom more and I couldn’t understand why she did the things she did. Alateen showed me not everyone’s life is perfect and there are people out there who have the same kinds of stories that I do.
I have learned so much from this program. I can look at myself and see how much I have grown and the wisdom I have gained. It has been a long journey, and only recently have I been able to say that honestly and confidently.
I am so grateful to have the program to pull out and use in any situation. When I see my mother, I know how to act appropriately even when she may not. When I go to meetings, I feel like I am a part of something. I have made many friends. Today, I work hard in school, sports and music. The Alateen program has helped me lead a better, happier life.
By Kiana, Connecticut August 2017
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
I Don’t Have To Participate in the Drama
I could have written a novel about what alcoholism and addiction did to me and those around me, but today my novel would be completely different. Working the Al‑Anon program helped me move past the anger, bitterness and lack of healthy family experiences that came with growing up with an alcoholic. It also helped me face the effects of leaving home very young to create my own chaotic marriage and eventual divorce from an alcoholic/addict.
Al‑Anon opened my eyes to a sunnier, happier life. I learned that I am in control of my own life, thoughts and behaviors. I could no longer blame the past, my dad, my ex or others for my choices. Today, I have a choice to smile and welcome the sunshine of healing into my life. I have a choice to pick up the phone and call a trusted Al‑Anon friend when I’m feeling blue. I have the choice to go to a meeting and embrace the warm hugs and healing sharing.
Alcoholism is still causing chaos in our blended family, but I don’t have to participate in the drama. I am so thankful for all the healthy changes in my life. I found a wonderful friend in Al‑Anon—me.
By Daisy P., California August 2017
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
I could have written a novel about what alcoholism and addiction did to me and those around me, but today my novel would be completely different. Working the Al‑Anon program helped me move past the anger, bitterness and lack of healthy family experiences that came with growing up with an alcoholic. It also helped me face the effects of leaving home very young to create my own chaotic marriage and eventual divorce from an alcoholic/addict.
Al‑Anon opened my eyes to a sunnier, happier life. I learned that I am in control of my own life, thoughts and behaviors. I could no longer blame the past, my dad, my ex or others for my choices. Today, I have a choice to smile and welcome the sunshine of healing into my life. I have a choice to pick up the phone and call a trusted Al‑Anon friend when I’m feeling blue. I have the choice to go to a meeting and embrace the warm hugs and healing sharing.
Alcoholism is still causing chaos in our blended family, but I don’t have to participate in the drama. I am so thankful for all the healthy changes in my life. I found a wonderful friend in Al‑Anon—me.
By Daisy P., California August 2017
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
Al-Anon Saved My Life
I knew at that moment that neither he nor any man would ever lay a harmful hand on me again. I had only been in Al‑Anon for three months and already my sense of self-worth had grown so much. The unconditional love I received from members in my meetings—the acceptance and the warm smiling faces—all fostered feelings of higher self-esteem. Even in their infant stage, these feelings were enough to give me the strength to leave him. My Sponsor explained that the alcoholic had grown up witnessing his father beat his mother and repeated that behavior with me.
I was in Al‑Anon only three months when I made the self-loving decision to leave him. I don’t know whether or not he got sober. What I do know is that 30 years since the last time I was struck, no one has ever hit me again. I still attend Al‑Anon and freely give what the program so freely gave to me. I believe to this day that Al‑Anon saved my life.
By Carolyn C., Florida August , 2017
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
I knew at that moment that neither he nor any man would ever lay a harmful hand on me again. I had only been in Al‑Anon for three months and already my sense of self-worth had grown so much. The unconditional love I received from members in my meetings—the acceptance and the warm smiling faces—all fostered feelings of higher self-esteem. Even in their infant stage, these feelings were enough to give me the strength to leave him. My Sponsor explained that the alcoholic had grown up witnessing his father beat his mother and repeated that behavior with me.
I was in Al‑Anon only three months when I made the self-loving decision to leave him. I don’t know whether or not he got sober. What I do know is that 30 years since the last time I was struck, no one has ever hit me again. I still attend Al‑Anon and freely give what the program so freely gave to me. I believe to this day that Al‑Anon saved my life.
By Carolyn C., Florida August , 2017
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
