honeypig

Yes, there is some truly great Alanon literature, isn't there? "Opening Our Hearts, Transforming Our Losses" is a favorite of mine, as well as the good old workhorses of "How Alanon Works" and "Paths to Recovery."

I will never forget my first meeting--having flown out of the house, desperate and knowing I couldn't handle things alone, I landed at a Beginner's Meeting on a Sunday evening. Some kind soul had donated several books some time ago, and each meeting for several weeks, the members at this meeting had drawn straws for a book while the supply held out. Near the end of the meeting, after I did the requisite crying-thru-the-entire-meeting thing, we drew straws. Another woman won the draw, but handed me her book, saying "You look like you need this worse than I do." And of course that prompted a fresh attack of tears...but when I got home, I started reading that book and I felt a sense of peace descend over me for the first time in a very long time. I slept well that night.

Things look so much different since that night not quite 2 years ago. I am, like they say, "a grateful member of Alanon."