The other part of the day was spent taking my mother-in-law to a doctor's appointment. She lost another 8 pounds this month and is down to 107 pounds. The doctor was alarmed and insisted that she has to eat more. After the appointment and lab work up, I took her to a fast food joint for a combo of hamburger, fries and a soft drink. It may not be the healthiest thing but when it comes to calories, it must help. She said that it was the best hamburger she has had in a long time. I was glad that she enjoyed her lunch. It is such a small thing to do for someone.
The evening was spend at my home group meeting. There were a couple of newcomers in there. I could identify with a young woman who is an adult child of alcoholics. She said that she is ashamed of her parents and their drinking. Oh yes, I can identify with that. I remember the anger and the shame. The feeling that I was not good enough and would never be good enough was so strong for much of my life. And I understood the desire to be orderly and perfect because nothing else had any order and was far from perfect. We children of alcoholics understand each other. She said that her father tells her she will marry an alcoholic. I told her that she had come to the right place to realize that no one's fate is sealed. Her journey of discovering herself began when she stepped through the door. I hope that she comes back.
Finally, it is time to lie down and read a bit of Keith Richard's Life, along with the newspaper, and a few pages of Narcotics Anonymous. I decided it was time that I read the NA basic text. I have read the Big Book of AA many times but have never read any literature from NA. Someone told me that it was a modern re-write of the Big Book. I wanted to see for myself.
Me time, quiet time....the best few hours of the day. Good night all.
That looks like a good book, Syd. Of course, there I go...judging by the cover.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear about lunch with your mother-in-law. You brought her some happiness, and through food! That is the best kind!
I'd be interested to hear what you think of the NA book, just for conversation, really.
I love the NA basic text, and that is a good analogy. It addresses some of the issues that have come up since the BB was written.
ReplyDeleteMy Me time is in the morning, way too tired at night. Glad you have yours
ReplyDeleteI remember reading some of the NA book "It Works: How and Why" and I was impressed with how well it was written.
ReplyDeleteMe time is a good thing.
Thanks Syd. I think it's time I read the Big Book. Thanks for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope your mother in law starts to track back on her needs as well as your father in laws and that you slept well Syd.
ReplyDeleteyeah you were focused on others all day...def time for some me time...
ReplyDeleteYou have planted a seed. I believe I will read the NA text as well.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the irony of reading Life and the NA book at the same time has occurred to you!
ReplyDeleteHave a good relax and read.
ReplyDeleteI read the NA Text, I understand the concepts as they really do reflect the same principles as the Big Book, I still feel it needs interpreting through a successful member of NA for me to understand better, as much as AA's Big Book and Al-Anon's Paths to Recovery are more acceptable and understandable when I listen to the expeirence of others with the material and direction. :)
I love that about these programs, they are personal :)
Thanks for bringing hope and care to the folks in your life... myself included. You teach me about boundaries and assertiveness all the time.
ReplyDeleteI have the NA text on my shelf and have read it. It contains a great deal of experience and wisdom. Because I went to Al-Anon for so long before coming to AA, I remain very fond of the Big Book's language (which is echoed in Al-Anon language)... But there are some things in the NA text that very much resonate with me. "We lived to use and used to live"... Don't especially like that phrase, but it describes my experience and I like the play on words. x/G
I hope you're more rested today. I loved what you shared with the new lady at Al-anon. Learning from others experiences is a great gift that our programs of AA and Al-anon give to us.
ReplyDeleteI have the NA text but have never read it. You are inspiring me to dig it out. Gosh, why haven't I read that?!
ReplyDeleteMy theory is that elderly are at the point in their lives where they can eat whatever they want, whatever sounds good. No worries about fat grams and calories. My mom is living on vanilla bean Hagendazs these days...and that is ok.
One last thought, I love that you helped your friend with his job search. I am learning the difference between enabling and providing the help that someone really geuninely needs.
I actually try to put some down time in my day each day, that way I can be the best I can for those who are in my life...Good on you for helping your mother in law...
ReplyDeleteHere's to some me time.
Hi Syd, I wanted to let you know that I read an interview with a geriatric worker and at one point he suggested that if an older person is losing weight, it can be helpful if they have a plan to share a meal with someone once a week, as opposed to eating alone everytime. One of his patients showed weight gain with that plan. It sounds like you need more "me time", but I wanted to put that info out there. Maybe somebody else in her family could do that with her or mabye folks could take turns.
ReplyDelete