devastating impact

Joe and I facilitate a monthly group entitled Grief and Hope. It's a small group, seven of us around the table last night, two were new. The new people were a mother and her young, adult daughter. The woman's former husband, the father of the adult daughter, had died about 10 months ago. Cause of death was alcoholism. Initially he was presented as a great guy with such a great sense of humor. As the group progressed the darker side emerged. He felt he wasn't hurting anyone since he kept his job and wasn't abusive. The daughter is clearly suffering from the loss. She feels he chose the alcohol over her. She feels she "can't live with the pain...can't get up in the morning." I am very concerned for her and suggested more immediate professional counseling

And also, once again, I was struck by the mutual feelings of those at the table. Of the seven of us at the table, five had had an alcoholic parent. The impact on each person has been devastating and each acknowledged still having feelings of anger, poor self esteem, depression, poor relationships, their own struggles with addiction. And this isn't an AA group!

Those of us given the grace from God to make changes in our lives, changes related to addiction or any other devastating disease, any disease where there is a choice to live differently, are so blessed. In the disease of addiction we do have a choice. It's a difficult choice. Often we have to choose to make changes many times. The first times often don't work. We try to do it alone. But we do have a choice. With God's grace (we don't do it alone!) we can re-decide.

We decide to take God's hand-the hand that is always there. We place recovery in our relationship with God. We accept the peace that passes all understanding. Recovery is peace---peace for ourselves and those we love.

Peace and blessings-Penny