I went to my first Al-Anon meeting last night. I found a Beginners group which they recommend you attend for the first six meetings. Several of us were first timers and I found myself in good company. What I realized right away is that I was not the only one going through this experience, which is comforting in a way. You might feel sorry for your own A, but for the ones who have family and friends attending Al-Anon, it is obvious that they are loved. After all, why else would the rest of us be sitting in these meetings if not to cope with and better understand the alcoholics in our lives?