In Al-Anon 45 years since she came in 2/7/1969 in Lubbock, TX - her home town, Vannoy is one of the real characters in Al-Anon.
Her brother broke his neck when she was a little kid, left him paralyzed and the family in poverty.
Skinny with pimples, she was farmed out all over the place and came away with a sense of low self worth, shame and guilt.
The house smelled bad from all the urine and rotting flesh. There was no joy.
Then she discovered the west Texas honky-tonk and the men that frequent them.
A man whispering in her ear, "I need you.", did for her what a drink does for the alcoholic.
She traced that elusive thing for many years.
Great story. Funny and right on target.
