There were a lot of hugs and tears, and  reminiscing. The kids took full advantage of the pool and the sunshine, splashing and laughing endlessly. Everyone else took advantage of the opportunity to reconnect, make new friends, and enjoy Chef Rene’s iced cappuchinos and fruit punch. After a few hours when we got to the actual BBQ, the meal, as expected, was amazing. People are still talking about Chef David’s chocolate cake masterpiece. I don’t know how he does it!

After we were all full, we moved down to the lower level of the patio. We put our chairs in a big circle, surrounded by blossoms and birdsong, and had a ’round of gratefuls’. Each person present (about 25 of us), had an opportunity to express what they were grateful for. There was overwhelming love surging through the circle as alumni shared about moving from the depair and death of addiction, to hope, light and peace.

Jim Copeman, our music director brought his drums and assortment of percussion instruments. Along with AHA’s own drums there was a music maker for everyone. Jim lead us in a few pointers, then in a melodic and hypnotic series of drumming sessions. It was an incredible experience, sitting into the late evening,  the magnificant moon rising up to shine off the lake, and being a part of a drumming circle of miracles. Everyone had indeed moved from the discord of their lives to harmony with the universe. Thanks be to God.

And not to forget our beloved friend Cocoa, who seemed to enjoy the day almost more than we did. Thanks be to Cocoa!

The Spiritual Lesson I Learned from a Skunk

When I first came to Al-Anon, I had little faith. Very slowly, I came to a spiritual awakening and accepted nature as my Higher Power.

I believe every person I meet—in every situation—has a lesson for me. More often than not, I find I need to ask my Higher Power for clarification as to what I am supposed to learn. Eventually, I catch on.

In January of last year, my brother was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died four months later. I had already lost a sister some years before. I struggled to accept the loss of another sibling. What I was supposed to learn from his death? I lost faith and felt sorry for myself. I wondered: why me?

I kept going to Al-Anon meetings and reading the literature. I came to understand: “Why not me?” Why should I be spared the pain of losing someone? Yet I still couldn’t figure out how to accept his death or what I was supposed to learn from it.

One day, while I was praying for clarification on the lesson I was supposed to learn, a squirrel got caught in my “catch and release” trap. (We have a squirrel problem at our farm.) As soon as the trap door closed, the squirrel forgot the food that had lured him in.

He scurried around the cage looking for an escape. He chattered and ran back and forth, leaped from wall to wall, hung from the top, sniffed, and bit desperately at the cage wires. He dug at the ground and tried to stick his paws through the mesh. He was literally going nuts.

I drove him to the relocation site and wondered if my Higher Power was trying to tell me that I was acting as nutty as that squirrel.

I went to a meeting and heard that same member say, “If I don’t get results from prayer, I ask again.” So I went home and asked for absolute and clear understanding of the lesson I was supposed to learn.

I set the trap again and decided to test my Higher Power. If the message was that I was acting nutty, then my Higher Power would simply send another squirrel to be caught in the trap.

Very early the next morning, I was outside and heard the door of the trap click shut. I expected to see a squirrel, but instead there was a skunk in the trap. Okay, the lesson was what? That I stunk? That I only saw things in black and white?

I decided to sit and watch the skunk, and pray for clarity. To my surprise, the skunk did not spray. He walked slowly around the entire inside of the cage, carefully sniffed up as high as he could, then as low as he could.

He slowly and methodically checked out every inch of the trap, then turned back to the bait and proceeded to eat it. He then groomed his paws and face. Then, he began reaching through the wires on the cage floor and pulled in grass and roots. He meticulously piled and pushed and formed the grass and roots into a nest. He then reached through the sides of the cage and drew in more grass and roots and added them to his nest. After working for about half an hour, he curled up in a ball, and went to sleep.

Clearly the skunk was making the most of the situation. He accepted his present state of capture.

I finally learned the lesson. I should be like the skunk, not the squirrel. My brother is gone, but I still have other family members and my Al-Anon family. I can make the most of it, get on with life, and do the best I can with the ones left.

By Audrey, Saskatchewan
The Forum, June 2010

Al-Anon’s monthly magazine, The Forum, contains many personal stories of inspiration, some of which are made available each month on the Internet.  This sharing was reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.

Don’t just sit there, do nothing!

We are eating some amazing meals here in drug rehab. Lovingly prepared and presented, 3 times a day. Take a look!

Monday, July 5th

Lunch:
Grilled Vegetable and Goat cheese Wraps

Beef Tartar Quenelles on Crostini
Sautéed Zucchini and Eggplant Salad
Quark Fruit Mousse

Dinner:
Pork Tenderloin with warm Apple Chilli Vinaigrette
Olive Oil Oregano roasted Yams
Green and Yellow Bean Bundles
Kohlrabi in Horseradish Béchamel Sauce
Mixed Greens with roasted Bell Peppers and Goat Cheese
Potato Bread Rolls
Vacherin Ice Cream Cake

Tuesday, July 6th

Lunch:
Shrimp Quesadillas with homemade Salsa and Guacamole
Chipotle Chicken Skewers with Cilantro Drizzle
Three Bean Salad
Grilled Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt Dip

Dinner:
Jerked Catfish on the Grill with Mango Salsa
Rice and Beans

Semolina Gnocchi
Spicy braised Kale with Peppers
Green Cabbage and Pink Lady Apple Slaw
Brioche

Banana Crème Caramel

Wednesday, July 7th

Lunch:
Mini Ham Croissants

Chilled red Beet Soup
Jamica Cucumber Citrus Salad
Profiteroles filled with Vanilla Cream and Berries

Dinner:

Grilled Hoisin Chicken Thighs

Buttermilk Basmati Rice with toasted Coconut
Spicy Spinach Puree and Potatoes

Steamed yellow Curry Cauliflower
Green and red Leaf Lettuce with Cottage Cheese
Naan Bread

White Chocolate Tarte with Letchis and Blackberries

Thursday, July 1st

Breakfast:
Home Away’s daily selection of Bircher Muesli, Breads, homemade Pastries, fresh and dried Fruits, variation of Meats and Egg dishes.

Lunch:
Chicken and Mushroom Duxelles on caramelized red Onions with crispy double smoked Bacon and Balsamic Reduction
Spicy Coconut and Lemon Grass Soup with poached Tiger Prawns
Pearl Pudding with marinated Peaches

Dinner:
Grilled Beef Rib Eye Steaks with Rosemary Maple Butter
Potato and Leeks Gratin
Lentil and Apricot Compote
Medley of grilled local Summer Vegetables
Classic Canadian Caesar Salad
Garlic Bread
Canadian brown Sugar Pie

Saturday, July 3rd

Breakfast:
Cranberry and Blood Orange Muffins
Quaker and Yogurt Parfait
Creamy Eggs with Spring Onions
Corn Syrup and Grainy Mustard glazed Virginia Ham
Fresh Fruits

Lunch:
3 Deck Sandwiches with Basil Pesto, Camembert Cheese, Schinken Speck and Vine Ripened Tomatoes
Organic Wild Rice Salad with Tofu
Black Berry and Anjou Pear Biscuits

Dinner:
In Beurre Noisette seared Atlantic Halibut served with Virgin Sauce
Snap Peas, Mint and Heirloom Tomatoes Penne Pasta with Parmesan Tuille
Seasonal Vegetables
Sautéed Asparagus topped with Chilli Pepper
Focaccia Bread
Mixed Greens with Orange, Grapefruit Fillets and toasted Pistachios
Walnut Praline and Vanilla Ice Cream

Sunday, July 4th

Brunch:
Smoked Salmon Roulade
Yellow Beets and Goat Cheese Neapolitans
Turkey Terrine
Butter Milk and Lime Crepes
Fresh Fruit Salad
Seared Qualicum Beach Scallops, Bacon Hollandaise
Peanut Butter and white Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dinner:
Chicken Breast Piccata with roasted red Pepper Sauce
Portobello Mushroom Cannelloni
Grilled Vegetable Parcells
Warm Baby Potato Salad
Butter Lettuce and Frisee with dried Fruits
Artisan Bread
Swiss Chocolate and Berry Cake

This is a slogan often heard in 12 Step meetings, and often confuses the already confused newcomers. I hear things like, “I’ve been faking things my whole life. I want to start being honest and authentic. Why are you telling me to fake something?”  Great question!

I like to use the analogy of a new suit of clothes. Say you are shopping with a friend, and the friend suggests you try on a red blazer (or a green dress, or whatever) and you say, “Oh no, I never wear red, and I don’t ever feel comfortable in a blazer”. Your friend says, ” Why not just try it on? You might like it.” Reluctantly you do, and it feels really weird and uncomfortable. But when you look in the mirror, you realize it looks pretty good, and you start to feel really sharp in it.

What would it be like if you had a Higher Power that loved you unconditionally? What if you knew, without a doubt that you you were being looked after by the spirit of the universe, and you knew you would never be alone again? What if you were completely certain that you were being restored to sanity?  What would that feel like? Now,  just try that on. I bet it looks really good on you.

Luxury, private rehab that works. Get the help you need for addiction in West Kelowna, British Columbia.

We are not a glum lot, we absolutely insist on having fun!

In addition, the scenery was awe inspiring. On morning walks, I grew to appreciate and respect the varieties of wildlife. The guests were greeted by fellow walkers in the mornings and of course, Cocoa the recovery dog was recognized and greeted by a large number of neighbors as he accompanied us on our walks.

A Home Away is a place of love, healing and discovery. It is the beginning of a better way of life for many of us and our families.

Sincerely,
G.F., Manitoba

You deserve private, luxury rehab in British Columbia, Canada

Addicts have suffered far too long and A Home Away allows them to relax, rejuvenate, and learn how to live a healthy sober/clean life.  I can only begin to tell you the amount of work that is put into this amazing addiction retreat centre.  I only hope this letter will make you see that its more than just a treatment centre, but truly a place away from home.  Once I finished my 91 day stay, I moved to Kelowna and have since visited this Home because I know I am always welcome for meals and sharing anything that’s going on with me.

Jane and John Derry are a marvelous pair who truly just want to help individuals like myself who may not have a home or have a healthy one to go back to.  I appreciate you taking the time to read this letter.

Sincerely,

BD, Kelowna

Hear Jane Derry, see if you relate to co-dependency.

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