Today's Gift for Families - May 2014

[MajestyJo]

Sunday, May 25, 2014

You are reading from the book Today's Gift

Do we really know anybody? Who does not wear one face to hide another?
—Francis Marion

A woman in her fifties watched her mother in her eighties struggle against the wrinkles in her face and neck, trying to hide them, pretend they weren't there. She wanted her mother to accept that she was getting older but found her unwilling to listen.

Haven't we all run into this situation? We can learn so much just by remembering that what is right for one person may not be right for another, and others are entitled to decide how they want to behave. Often, we are just worried about ourselves, concerned, for instance, with our own ability to age gracefully. We don't need someone else to do it for us. We can take care of ourselves.

What do I worry about in another that I can take care of in myself?

The nice thing about recovery, we don't have to hide behind masks. With me what you see is what you get. If you met me in person, you would see the person you read about on the site. As I said to my friend Bert today, "We aren't too bad for a couple of 72 year olds.


As they say, "If you find yourself pointing a finger at someone, you have three coming back at you." I try not to do this any more, got tired of doing so much work on myself. I learned whatI saw in others, was a reflection from with in me, be it positive or negative.

My worry in today is that my son will not choose recovery. He has no connection to God, and I pray that he finds the way. All I can do is pray, for him and for me.