I had been in Al‑Anon for six years when a family crisis erupted that involved my grandchildren and required immediate action to ensure their safety in that moment. I was able to deescalate the situation; then I promptly came home to call a friend on the Sponsor list. I turned it over to God and held on tight. I refer to that day as my spiritual awakening. The three and a half years since have been nothing short of a miracle.

Initially, I was ashamed to share my feelings with another person even though we sat in the same meeting together week after week. My Sponsor was keenly aware of the emotions that new sponsees have, and even though the process seemed slow, we began. My Sponsor suggested weekly Conference Approved Literature (CAL) reading assignments to complete. I was given the workbooks Reaching for Personal Freedom (P-92) and Blueprint for Progress: Al‑Anon’s Fourth Step Inventory (P-91).

I am still completing Reaching for Personal Freedom, and I enjoy the pace we have set. Week by week, I take notice of the spiritual recovery that is occurring as a result of working my program and talking with my Sponsor, and I am grateful. I could never have imagined that life, with all its ups and downs, could be so beautiful. To think it started with a phone call to find a Sponsor.

By Jeannie H.

The Forum, December 2024

Feel free to reprint this article on your service arm website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.