Blog for December 30th, 2024
Last Blog of the Year And so, A year in review.
#12 Spiritual Principle- Sharing & Caring.
Well, yep, we had Christmas this last week, at my daughters’ house. I love my daughter and grandkids so much; they are precious to me. And we certainly did our part in “sharing & caring” there. But due to the other guests in attendance, my husband and I made a plan to leave after a couple of hours. It’s called self-preservation.
Thank goodness I hosted a meeting on zoom Christmas morning, it’s my regular slot anyway, and it’s a way I pay back and do some more sharing and caring. It helped ground me and gave me perspective for the day ahead. Plus, Jim and I did our meditations before we went to the Christmas party, that really helps!
We did our best to be kind, cordial and loving there, as God would have us be, as our program has taught us to be. But I tell ya, not everyone makes that an easy task. And yes, task is the word at this time. Her mother-in-law has been a thorn in my side for over thirty years with back biting, poking comments meant to elevate her and put us down. And then, as a party bonus, my husband’s ex-wife and her husband showed up. From out of state! Oh, the joy! Thank goodness we already had an exit plan in place, lol.
The week had started out by taking our neighbor, who became a widow this year, and her son out for a pizza. We also gave them a Christmas present. It was my honor and joy, they have very little in this world and struggle so much. It is sad. But we were happy to care and share with them this last week.
I baked a lot of cookies and goodies and made-up Christmas boxes to take to some of my neighbors. This is about my third year to do so, and it brings me joy, I hope it does them too. I feel like when I care and share with them all like that it helps to make our neighborhood a friendlier, more loving place. More cohesive. Which is a good thing.
The day after Christmas I took my twin grandkids to the movies to see that new Bob Dylan movie, “A complete Unknown”. They loved it and we had a lot of caring and sharing bonding time too. We grabbed a hamburger afterwards and chatted it up. I sure do love them kids.
The next day, I wrote up the minutes from our last area meeting. The secretary was on holiday when we had our last meeting and so I took notes, and just typed them up and sent them out. No, it’s not my job, but my God has put it in me to be a helper where I can. I don’t mind, it’s another way I get to share and care, the NA way. Service keeps you clean!
As we close out this year, I feel like I am leaving something really special behind, this is the year that I found out who my real biological father was and I got to meet my brothers and other family. This was a huge deal for me. Especially when I went to their 50-year family reunion. They are the ones who did the care and share with me, they were very kind and sweet and welcoming. But I am still adjusting to it all. But what a gift, this January it will be one year. Wow!
Also, as we head into 2025, I am preparing a big hoopla for my awesome, wonderful, precious husband. This Friday he will have forty years clean, a miracle huh! So, I plan to care and share with him this next Saturday. I’ll let you know how that goes next week.
There are so many ways we can care and share with others, in a million different ways. Today I had a long, fun talk with my sponsor and yesterday a very heartfelt long conversation with a dear friend. We did a lot of “caring & sharing”. The point is, we should all just continue to do it! Especially those of us in recovery. With God’s help that is. #12 is the last Spiritual Principle, so that’s a wrap! I did one spiritual principle a week or sometimes for a month. Yay!
Question of the Week: Do you care and share? How?
PS- Good-bye 2024, I will always remember you. You were super special to me. Now, I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings, our 40th year! Whoo hooo!
Here we go! make the leap into next year!