I went to the tuesday night meeting, it's the highlight of my week. After the meeting, one of the ladies asked me if I would like to join the jail outreach group. They have lots of volunteers for the men, and only one lady for the women. I immediately felt the need to be of service. Helping others helps me help myself...I said "sign me up!" I guess next I fill out the application and have a background check. No problem. I did explain that Mom's needs are my priority and I don't want to be flaky or unreliable. She was perfectly understanding of my situation as caregiver. I've made it to four meetings in a row, so my HP has been helping things work out so I can have some much needed "me" time to attend meetings. I'll be looking forward to working with the outreach and it will be a reality check for me that if I were to drink again, there's a chance I'd end up there...for longer than an hour!
In other drama... I'm still hobbling around getting ready for the big move...the house is behind schedule and some fool stole the power transformer and end loop so the realtor has to get an electrician to fix that.
Mom stresses over every little thing and a wet hen would be in a more pleasant mood than she is... But I remind myself the difficult things she says to me shouldn't be taken personally and shouldn't affect my own stress level. After a day of her wet-hen mood the old me would consider a few shots of my favorite beverage to enlighten my own mood and her grumpiness wouldn't have the heart felt effect it does sober. For today, the sober me raises an ice cold Dr Pepper in gratitude "one day at a time!" (followed by 20 repetitions of the Serenity Prayer).
On the lighter side... I made friends with a very pregnant feral cat and brought her in so she can have her babies in a safe place. The Miracle of birth could occur at anytime...I'm predicting 6 babies! The last thing I thought I needed was an addition to the family...but she's here now And has become such a love she will be easy to find a home for. She will be spayed when her babies are weaned so the poor thing doesn't have to go through this again.
Out here in California we call those outreach meetings "H & I" meetings, which take AA meetings into Hospitals and Institutions (like the jails). I've done a few of those and it was very rewarding! Just a word of precaution - make sure you don't have any outstanding warrants of any kind before you show up at the jail. At least out here, there actually have been instances of someone going to these facilities to take an AA meeting to the folks there, and at the end of the meeting they were not allowed to leave because the jail had discovered that they had a warrant. They were arrested for their outstanding warrant and had to stay until they were booked and could call someone to post bail. I don't mention this to discourage you, just want to make sure you have a very positive experience with no 'surprises' like that : )
That's good stuff to know, thanks for the tip. No problem, I'm not even wanted by the cops...but I won't complain!
Even the people inside who hear the message may not take to the program right away, but seeds will be planted. I'm happy to plant as many as I can. I'm living proof the Program does work and am more than happy to carry the message!
Good stuff. I've heard many who do this have positive experiences. I've been thinking myself that I would like to get into doing Jail commitments. It keeps presenting itself in many forms. This may be another push from God to get in there and be of service.
It's great to see you're looking for any opportunity to be of service ... AND that you're actively go'n to meetings AND that you take your job of your mom's caregiver seriously WITH the understanding that her age presents periods of 'trials in patience' that you can learn from ...
Your posts show 'pearls of wisdom' I hope others here can take to heart ... Oh, thank you for your humane treatment of the mama cat ... I pray you enjoy this event as one of God's gifts to you ... not everyone will show this kind of compassion to a stray animal ... good for you AND thanks for sharing this with us here ...
Love ya and God Bless, Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Great share J...Service is the foundation of continues sobriety and I also have HI experience in the jails...funny thing was there was no meeting for me when I was in for the other reason...no resentment and still would have enjoyed one...would have gotten some sleep me thinks.
Hi, don't know much about the jail issue, been to psych 3 or 4 times, but I sent some aa literature a while ago to someone in jail, always good to carry the message whether an alc is in jail or not, just my opinion. BW.
