My 3rd Al-Anon meeting

Finally, I made it to another meeting but this time something was different. I felt relieved and happy when it was over. The topic was "Reaching out". The common factor seems to be that every one of us try to be strong, fix things ourselves and go thru the days keeping and holding everything inside. We don't want to bother anybody, we don't want to be weak. A guy explained that when he gets a chance to help he is helping himself. A lady said to me that she will call me, an older lady told me about her daughter and her tribulations but also said that she is a happier person now and gets to go dancing, exercises and does all kind of stuff. I liked her :) A man suffers deeply because his daughter is also caught up in alcoholism, he smiled at me while he was saying how hard it is to detach but he also mentioned that he has to think about the rest of his family, he said that his daughter is now battling bulimia and that she made sure to let him know that it is because when she was little he told her "do not eat all that cake or you'll get fat",  talk about a guilt trip. When I hear these situations the message that I receive is that we all are in this together and there is hope at least for us and we are only responsible for ourselves. I received more than six hugs and sometimes that's the only thing I need. Something relevant is that two ladies asked me for banana and if she was doing ok back in college. Oh, it's amazing how everybody likes my daughter, she is such sweet, compassionate smart little lady, I thank God for her everyday.
Alex finally send me her bank statement because she needs money for her graduation ring, of course there are a ton of unnecessary  expenses and even a purchase on a liquor store. I sent the money to help her out but not what she was asking. I let her know that if she was going to need my financial help she was going to have to be accountable or I won't be able to help her any longer but I ended my note with a "we love you and we are praying for you". Jeff was very disappointed ...and the thought that he is giving up on Alex and even me is lingering in the back of my mind.
 I spoke to my mom and sister and told them I can't make it to the ceremony to take dad's ashes, a couple of things happened that tell me that right now is just a time to be still and wait.