Better Than Gold

Better Than Gold

After painful deliberation, I finally decided to leave the alcoholic and my home. If nothing else, my life would be peaceful. Filing for divorce was a bigger decision, but I thought it would be for the best.

My lawyer was very understanding. I have no idea how she got any information from me because I was such a mess. Since I was no longer 18 with many good years ahead of me, I often obsessed about money and the future. What if I got sick? What if I had to go on public assistance? My lawyer assured me that I had enough assets, but suggested I decide where I wanted to go.

Many times during those bleak days, I cried in my lawyer’s office. One day I even wondered if I could afford to feed my cat, or whether I would have to give it away! As I burst into tears, my lawyer calmly said I needed to get the squirrels out of my head before I could move forward. She told me there was help available in Al-Anon and gave me the location and time of a meeting.

In my confusion, I went to the wrong meeting because I didn't know the difference between Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous. The caring AA members showed me where the Al-Anon group met, which was in a different room at the same location. What a lifeline! I've been attending meetings ever since.

My husband and I got back together and I didn't divorce him. Last year I had an opportunity to express my gratitude to my lawyer for her part in my recovery. I have no idea what my future holds, but the members give me hope. They also give me support, which is better than gold. Al-Anon is such a great gift, especially when the effects of alcoholism are beating me down. Al-Anon saved my sanity and made my life livable again.

By Joyce D., British Columbia
The Forum, December 2005