Hello My Name is Jillian and my mom was a functioning alcoholic.
Those were the first things out of my mouth as I sat down in a group of about 20 recovering alcoholics. How did I get here you ask well lets go back a day.
I was sitting quietly at Starbucks in Pattaya, Thailand. And of course all my friends show up. I was trying to read and they were making it very difficult. So I turned to one of my friends and told her I couldn't focus so she and I went upstairs. As we got up the stairs a man informed us that they have AA up there and we were welcome to join if we wanted to. We politely declined and went to the side where there were some chairs open.
As the meeting stared I couldn't focus on anything else but the fact that all these people want to make better choices in their lives. They had such inspiring words and testimonies. As we sat there I just knew I had to share my journey with them. I stood up and leaned against the wall as I listen to story after story about who they were and who they are now. It was fantastic.
At the very end of the meeting they asked if I had anything to say. I told them my mom died last year of liver disease caused by alcoholism. I told them I was inspired by their hard work and dedication to not allowing such a strong hold to take life away from them.
These men were so supportive as I came back the next day to share more about my mom. They really blessed me and shared with me their struggles which shed more light on my moms struggles. I can't even tell you how blessed I have been by hearing these stories. So thank you so much for sharing with me and my friends. You all are a great influence in my life and I know you are all capable of getting through today!
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5
