Good morning everyone! Thanks to Karen for keeping this thing on
track while I was gone!

"Chapter 8 - To Wives" begins on page 104. There is some historical
stuff that is very interesting however. First, a trivia question: Who
wrote this chapter? Most of us would immediately say Lois Wilson or
Dr. Bob's wife Anne Smith, but, alas, we would be wrong.

Originally Bill wanted Anne Smith to write it. She had no interest in
doing so. (I can see, in my mind's eye, Lois jumping up and down
saying "I'll do it! I'll do it!" and Bill saying "I don't think
so!") Bill decided that he would write it himself. No control issues
there! Of course Alanon was formed in the early 1950's and became a
society standing separate from AA. (As a historical aside it is
interesting to note that spouses were very much involved with the
alcoholic in the context of meetings at the very early beginnings of
AA. This makes this chapter even more appropo when it is viewed from
this historical perspective).

From the bottom of page 108 through the middle of page 110 Bill
describes the "four husbands" illustrating the progression of the
disease. The following paragraph is perhaps the most important in
the chapter: "We never, never try to arrange a man's life so as to
shield him from temptation. The slightest disposition on your part
to guide his appointments or his affairs so he will not be tempted
will be noticed. Make him feel absolutely free to come and go as he
likes. This is important. If he gets drunk, don't blame yourself.
God has either removed your husband's liquor problem or He has not.
If not, it had better be found out right away. Then you and your
husband can get right down to fundamentals. If a repetition is to be
prevented, place the problem, along with everything else, in God's
hands."

This is from page 120, last paragraph. It mirrors paragraphs 1 and 2
on page 101. Remember what we have discussed throughout this study -
Bill will repeat important ideas in order to reinforce them to the
reader. This is yet another example of this style of writing.

With our next post we will continue with Chapter 9 - The Family
Afterward.

Jim