Your thoughts and prayers needed...

[Sheryl85]

I wanted to share this with my SR family.

I’m so glad that I have this program to help me when I need it most. As some of you may know I’ve been going through some tough times right now. My mom has been sick for the last couple of months and things have not been getting any better. Today my sister called and said that they were going to transfer her to the hospital from the care facility. She had contracted pneumonia and several other complications that had caused a high fever (and possible brain damage) and we were pretty sure that there was not going to be recovery. The quality of life was no longer there and our main concern now was that she could be as comfortable as possible. We also decided that I should make the 200 mile drive from Waco to San Antonio in the morning.

Tonight I felt I needed to be at a meeting because I was dealing with some anger issues. Mom’s condition was upsetting enough, but earlier today, during the hour that my sister had gone over to our dad’s to get a bite to eat (my parents have been divorced for over twenty years), someone went into my mother’s room at the care center and stole the ring off her finger. (Her hands had become so swollen that we could not get it off ourselves and she had asked us not to cut it off.) I don’t know how they managed it, but mom must have been pretty unresponsive at this point. My sister came back and when she went to hold my mom's hand she noticed that the ring was gone. I couldn’t believe it. Who would rob a dying woman? Anyway, I just needed a meeting to help me keep it all together.

There was a young man there tonight that didn’t have much time in the program and he was hurting and going through a crisis of his own. The topic was on acceptance and facing life on life’s terms and he happened to speak up to say why he was there and that he really needed the meeting tonight. My husband shared after that and told a little of what we were going through and explained how each of us could stay sober in spite of the circumstances we find ourselves in. Several other people also shared and talked about how the program gives us the tools to meet calamity with serenity and then I started to share. I had just gotten out that I was glad the young man had come and that I knew what he felt about not really wanting to be there tonight, but knowing it’s where we needed to be (with other alcoholics and addicts) because I felt the same way. I was going to say more but my phone vibrated at that moment and I saw that it was my sister calling. I excused myself and said I needed to take that call and left the room. I was told that my mom had just passed away.

Well, I can tell you that this alcoholic couldn’t have been in a better place. My husband came to where I was in one of the private meeting rooms and I told him the news. When the meeting was over I had so many people come and tell me that they would be praying for me and my family and they hugged me. Boy, did I ever need that. It didn’t take away the pain, but it sure did help lighten the load I felt I carried. I feel I am so blessed to have this program and the friends that I have made in these rooms. And it’s not just that. With the help of this Program I have found the strength which allows me to face life on life’s terms. My mom may be gone, but I don’t have to try and blot out the pain with alcohol or drugs. I have been given the strength to face the rough times I know are ahead of me and my family and I continue to find comfort from a source that is far greater than any chemical I could put into my body.

Your thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated at this time. To each of us who are going through tough times right now, may we each find the comfort needed from a Power Greater than ourselves. God bless and keep each of you...

Sheryl

[GlassPrisoner]

I'm sorry about your Mom

(((((((Sheryl85))))))

*prays*

[stone]

((((sheryl85)))) Wishing you all the strength possible, so sorry about your mum.

[paulmh]

Thanks for sharing that with us at such a difficult time Sheryl. You help and heal us all.

Much love.

[findingout]

((Sheryl))

You and your family have my sympathy and prayers. The death of a parent is just plain hard to deal with on so many levels. It is a beautiful thing that you have the program and the people in the program it help carry your spirit through this.

My father died just before the start of this year. This weekend my sister is flying to Michigan and together we're going up to his house (actually "the house" since it's where we both grew up) to gather the personal items we want to keep. I am both looking forward to it and dreading it. So many memories, good and bad, are concentrated in that physical location.

Stay close to the program in the coming months. As you already discovered, it's a buffer between us and the abyss. We don't have to use to get through these times because there is a better way. You'll be in my thoughts.

One Love, One Heart,
Tony

[CarolD]

O Sheryl. ...
Mega Hugs and Prayers zinging your way

[Sheryl85]

Thank you everyone. I'm going to load up and hit the road shortly. I know this isn't going to be easy, but it has to be done. I just want to get there so I can be with my sister.

I'll keeping in touch since I'm taking my laptop with me. I'll be needing all the support I can get. The neat thing is there are meetings all hours of the day there in San Antonio, so I'll be able to touch base with my extended family there as well.

Take care and be well.

Love to all,
Sheryl

[Carol87]

[miss communicat]

(((((((Ohhh Sheryl))))))

Many prayers for peace and serenity going up for you and yours

thank you for being here with us sharing,

mc

[Tazman53]

Sheryl you are truly what this program is all about, you have what I am striving to gain one day and one step at a time.

Your mom is at peace and I know that she is looking down and smiling about how proud she is of you. Hon you and your family have my thoughts and prayers, may God bless you for being there for me, please know it is a 2 way street.

[scootinbabe]

{{{sheryl}}}

no words just sending strength and love

[jlo34]

Sheryl,

Never ceases to amaze me how AA works and how God works. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Blessings, love, hugs, and prayers,
Jen

[o2bserene]

Dear Sheryl:

Her pain is over, yours is beginning ... I wish you the courage and strength to get through this. You have my prayers.

Thank you also for sharing your ESH.

With love,
Di

[Rowan]

Sheryl,

I am very sorry to hear that your mom passed on. Thank you for sharing your ESH it helps me to keep my own circumstances in perspective. Things could be so much worse. Hang in there will be thinking of you.

Love Rowan

[Hivemind]

Blessings to you, thanks for sharing

[Sheryl85]

Thank you each and every one... your thoughts and prayers will help me as I muddle through this ordeal. I will keep you posted on how I am doing...