Today I couldn’t help but think of some of the benefits, which come to us as sober members of this fellowship. One of them is the meetings we go to and the friendships we develop through them over the years. I was talking to a friend today and he reminded me of my financial status (poor) but also the wealth I have acquired. He was talking about friendships.
One of the things I learned from my sponsor was to extend my hand to the new man or woman entering the doors of this program. He showed me by his example. He rarely let a man or woman walk away. He would go out and shake their hands and escort them into the room. He would introduce them to others and then move on to another new person. He never tried to own them. He left that to someone else.
Imperfectly I have tried to imitate what he had done. I often forget or fail to make the first move. But over time I seem to be able to get past my own thoughts and just do it. Take a deep breath, suck it up, smile, and put out my hand. I have to be reminded that I want the hand of AA to be there…
Through this kind of action I have met a lot of good people, who have grabbed onto this program. Particularly the desperate loners, who want to stop drinking above all else. I can identify with them. Like me they have been drowning in a sea of alcohol and need that hope that they too can survive and find a solution. I know I did.
Out of all these people I have been so fortunate to meet, I have met a few, who have responded with a deep affection and have become special and loyal friends through the years. Our mutual appeal came from one thing, the hope that we could stop drinking and get sober. It was initially in our sharing of our common problem, which developed into a genuine friendship. In our struggles through growing along spiritual lines together we passed from acquaintences and formed bonds that went past our alcoholism and entered into becoming companions on this road of living sober. We have learned to help each other through the good times and the rough.
As my friend and I talked I thought of those who have been in touch with me through the years. Some of them almost from the beginning. I treasure these friends and they are just that; treasures. That’s my true wealth.
I was thinking about this and how much they have contributed to my life and hopefully I to theirs. We have stayed sober together and helped each other stay that way. I am so grateful I have known and continue to know such wonderful people. And the circle continues to grow a day at a time.