One of the things I have enjoyed over this time in sobriety are meetings. Mainly because it gives me a chance to be with people I know and understand. People like me. Alcoholics, who, like me, have hit their bottoms. Have suffered from the the pain and despair, which alcohol had dragged them through. Just like me.
The wonderful thing is to see them all today. Many have been here for a lot of years, and others are relatively new. But it doesn’t matter where they are on the calendar. As long as they are here for the same reasons we all are. To get sober and stay sober.
Like I was told, I’m here because my Higher Power brought me here. True, we all have our stories of how we got here. Mine was the result of despair. The same like I hear so many saying. Not able to free themselves from alcohol, no matter what they tried. Just like me. And then getting a boost of hope from someone and directed to the doors of this program. Not responsible for coming here. But like everyone else, I’m now responsible for staying here. Working this program presented to me.
Had to laugh today. Often after meetings a few of us get together to go out and have coffee and just sit there talking and laughing or what have you. Sometimes it’s serious stuff. Talking and maybe doing a Tenth Step. Other times it involves sports or something we are all into. Traveling or sharing events. What made me laugh was one friend, as we were leaving leaned over and told me that he loves these after the meeting moments. He said that, when he was drinking, the only time he ever felt at “home” was drinking in bars and talking to other drunks like himself. He said these moments after meetings remind him of those moments, except that now they are not only pleasant, but now really mean something. He can share with people just like himself and get meaningful feed back.
I remember back, when I came, that after meetings the old timers would invite people like myself over to their homes and we would sit in the kitchen drinking coffee and talking. Mainly about the meetings and how this program works. Often I would sit there and just listen. Over time I began to learn, but mainly to trust and become part of the groups I attended. Sometimes we would sit there for hours on end. Just nice to be able to be able to meet and do these kinds of things.
Over time I made a lot of friends, some of whom I still am in contact today. Today was just a reminder to me of all this. I was with friends and enjoying those moments, as I did from the beginning. And how do I feel about all of this? Something like being on a continuous Twelfth Step. Opening the door and my mind and my heart. Sharing and listening and all the time staying sober and getting what I need. What I have always gotten. Sobriety.