Very impressive meeting today. The last Friday of the month; “chip day”. The celebration of anniversaries.
As I listened to the people, who had picked up their tokens of remembrance of their entrance into this program, I was once again struck by the impact their stories had on me. Even some of the newer members stories touched me deeply. But the longer they were in, the older members I thought brought more and more hope for better and happier lives.
Hearing their lives as they were in their drinking years and their emergence into sobriety, the effect this program had on them, the impact of the 12 Steps, and the beginning of a faith that works, but mostly the changes which have taken place in each of their lives were great examples to me of how this program works. How it has worked in my own life.
Talk about inspiration, this is what I felt, as I sat there listening. I could feel it in the room and hear it, as others were called upon to make comments on what had happened in the meeting today. Especially after the meeting ended and people stood around talking to one another. A true sense of gratitude being expressed all around.
Later, as I was sitting and thinking about what went on today, my mind went back to what I heard from some old timers in the past. Then what I had read in some of their stories. And all I could think was that these moments are some kind of big time. For me at least.
Another thing that struck me was the humility all of them were able to express. Not one of them claimed ownership for what had occurred in their lives. True, most of them could tell how difficult it was in the beginning and how it took their willingness to work hard at what they were doing in order to accomplish what this program offered them, but almost all of them reported how much they owed others, who helped them, and especially how much they were indebted to the grace their higher powers had provided to them.
Anyway, it was a celebration of another day sober in our lives. I was glad that I was there. Made me think that there is nothing special about me. Just another drunk, who by the grace of my higher power, is sober today. Also a reminder of how much I owe my sponsor and others.