Looking back, remembering what this day is for everyone, the start of a New Year, I’m reminded that it’s just another day to stay sober. Free of alcohol and all that went with it. I don’t ever have to go there again. As long as I do what is necessary to remain sober.
One of the things I remembered was a New Year’s Eve many years ago. I guess I was about ten years sober. Our group was holding a party at an old mill about ten miles away from where we held our meetings. Outside it was freezing cold and the streets were covered with ice. Made driving over there kind of hazardous. Anyway at about 7:30 my sponsor came up to me and said we had to leave. Why? I asked. Because, he said, we had to go to the church where we met and open up for a meeting. It was Monday night. We always held a meeting on Monday nights.
Myself and a couple of other men thought it was too hazardous to drive over. Besides, we argued, it was New Years Eve and probably people were too busy to be going to a meeting. Nevertheless my sponsor said we were going. So about five of us got in a car and slipped and slid all the way to the church. We got there just about the time we would ordinarily open the meeting.
We opened the church, walked in, turned on the lights, didn’t make coffee, because we were going to go back to the party after, and sat down. Just the five or so of us. And just after we did, the door opened and a man walked in. I never forgot the look on his face. It was one of sheer relief. He looked at us and said, “Oh, thank God you’re here. I was on my way to get a drink, when I thought maybe I should go to a meeting.”
Never forgot that moment or that night. The man talked and we all shared. He didn’t drink and he worked the program and stayed sober.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I think like that young man, my sponsor, and my friends that I’ll do the same today. Do what he and they did. Stay sober and continue to put my primary purpose into action. Makes me grateful to remember that night. I thank my Higher Power and all those, who have helped me through the years for moments like that.