As a man walking into my first meeting, I was filled with fear, anger, and frustration. I didn't like myself and took life very seriously.

What I found in that room was a group of women and two men who were laughing and enjoying life. The program for the night was a speaker's meeting. I identified with the lady who shared her story and knew I was in the right place. In the meeting, I saw my wife's former boss, my sixth grade teacher, a lady from the bank, and another woman who worked in a clothing store. The speaker's husband used to work for my father. Wow, I knew these people! I liked them and wanted whatever it was that they had.

During the meeting, I received love, acceptance, and the idea that I could get better. The members of the group told me to come to Al-Anon until I wanted to and they said it was a lifelong program. I never questioned them. I just did what they told me to do. Soon I was laughing and beginning to like myself. My fear and anger went away.

Now after 21 years in Al-Anon, only one of those wonderful people still attends our group. Most of the members passed away or are no longer able to attend meetings. Some just quit coming.

The longtime members who were around when I started this journey saved my life, which gave me a chance to enjoy each and every day. Now I'm telling newcomers to "Keep Coming Back." I tell them Al-Anon is a lifelong program and that it works.

By Mike S., Kansas
The Forum, August 2006

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