I just wanted to let you know that I attended my first al-anon meeting online tonight.

I have been researching information all week, and know of a meeting that takes place on Monday nights at 8pm, right nearby my house (a 5 minute walk.. if that long! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> ). And most importantly, I plan on attending tomorrow night.

Thank you again for your help. You truly are one of my MB angels. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

((((((((((( BR )))))))))))

Karen

Good for you Karen!!!! I am so very proud of you!!!!

Dawn <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

I went to the local Al-anon meeting tonight. I broke down crying... b/c I started thinking of Andrew. The moment of silence before the serenity prayer is what helped me get those tears flowing. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

The topic was "humour". <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> Not exactly a good first meeting topic, but being where I am b/c of MB and the last 2 yrs of my life, I was able to be quite open minded, and it didn't bother me too much (there was one other "newbie" there tonight... I'm not sure how he felt about it, as he wasn't comfortable talking). This particular group has about 15 members. Not too big, and not too small, IMO. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Thanks again BR, for the cyber butt kick I needed.

Karen

Hmmmph, glad to be around to provide the ole cyber boot!

Beware of online Al-Anon. It's NOT a replacement for face 2 face meetings. I've been around the online Al-Anon community for roughly 4 years, and I've seen alot more sickness than I have seen healthiness going on in those message boards and chat rooms. Unfortunately Al-Anon is not conducive to online - too many people want to stay in isolation and try to take short cuts to recovery - the result is very bad.

My sponsor and I even co-founded an online Al-Anon group which is still in existence...unfortunately even though we started out as a healthy group, much of it has disintegrated into false recovery also. Most of it has to do with the nature of the net clashing with the truely deep need for face to face connection in practicing the 12 steps.

So use it to supplement, by all means. But don't try to use it instead of meetings in your local area!

And btw, I found your reaction to the "Humour" topic to be amusing! I can't tell you how many stories I've heard from Al-Anon members who like to share their "first meeting" experience, and describe with glee their disgust, dismay, and rejection of the meeting topic "Humour".

My sponsor always says: "Is that Odd, or is that God?"

I think God makes sure that lots of newcomers get that topic! Trust me, it was the best topic you could get! Control freak co-dependents take everything WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too seriously. That's part of the illness, hence their uncomfortableness with such a frivoulous discussion! "Don't you know that MY life has nothing funny about it?!?! Lets get down to talking about how to FIX all these problems, who has time waste laughing?"

Glad you went Karen, welcome to your new life where you can be happy, joyous and free, regardless of what the dysfunctional people in your life are doing. ((hugs))