My Third Family

A story dedicated to all those in my third family.

We all have our natural born families and we have the families that we find in life. Then some of us have a family that find us. I have three families, the one I was born into, the friends who I have found and collected over the years, and the one's who I have found from Alcoholics Anonymous. Now I'm sure that grabbed your attention.

 

I'm an 18 year old girl and I have a family from Alcoholics Anonymous. My grandfather and grandmother have been in the program for over twenty years. I was raised around the people in Alcoholics Anonymous, and they are my third family.

 

My grandparents have been asked countless times over the years, "Why do you bring them to meetings? That is no place for children." Well this is written as a response to their question. I am glad that they took me to those meetings and as a teenager I have tried to continue going to meetings as often as possible.

 

You see what I have learned from those people is something I would never give up. Through their experiences I have seen what can happen to me if I choose to do as they did. I have learned so much from these people. I have seen their strength. You may think of the people in AA as weak because they suffer from an addiction but you are wrong. They have went through so much and they have dealt with their addiction. They have gone from not being able to deal with their life sober to knowing that a drunk life is not a life worth living.

 

I have a chocolate grandpa who I would have never met if not for the program. He is always there for me. Always joking with me and making me smile. He has no idea how much I love him and think of him as my grandpa. He can pick on me all day and I'm still all smiles.

 

I have an uncle who wears too much colagne but you can't resist to giving him a hug. He tought me how to play pool and helped me beat my grandfather. He's a sweetheart who can't help making you smile.

 

I have a crazy aunt that everyone teases. To tell the truth she's a littlr crazy but there are reasons behind her madness. She's loud and not afraid to speak her mind.

 

Some people may have viewed my randparents taking my to their meetings as wrong but it wasn't they wanted me to learn from their mistakes. I don't think any of the members of this family realize how much I love them and how much they mean to me. I'm quite proud of both of them and of all the members of my third family. Pap I am so proud of you, 21 years is no small feat. And Nan I am so very proud of you, 19 years isn't a small feat. Thank you both for being there for me and for being who you are. I know we may fight but I love you guys and am quite proud to call you my grandparents.

Author's Note

So you people can judge this however you want. This is dedicated to all of you guys in AA

Reviews

[A.Lee]

Very nice. I think the families you collect over the years, non-blood families, can be just as strong and just as helpful. And you're absolutely right, an addiction doesn't make them weak, it shows strength really that they were able to admit their mistakes and work on fixing them. Nice story.

[Allison]

It's great that you have other families! I agree with your idea. It sounds cool having a third family. Keep up the good work!

[Coyote Poetry]

The family at the AA sound like great people to me. And your Grandparent sound like wonderful people. We need a third family. People who know what we know and seen what we have seen. A powerful and positive story. Thank you.
Coyote

[Ruth]

This is a beautiful tribute love! The heart shines throughout it, very moving
xx

[Fuzzy_Poluzah]

interesting..vivid..yet vague...i like it!

[Albatross]

This is a great tribute. I have friends struggling with and conquering addiction; friends who are the very reason that I have avoided making so many mistakes. They inspire me because of their strength in overcoming their problems. I think the people in AA deserve much credit. They are trying and succeeding to change for the better.

[Nachtlich]

For some reason this reminds me of the friends my dad had when I was younger. Just about anyone would say they were a bad influence on me, but they were all kind hearted people, and I'm glad to have met them.