I was reminded today about an old friend in this program, the wife of my old sponsor, who was of great help to almost every one. I know she helped me numerous times, which gifted me with a mind, which was changed by how she aided me. I never want to forget such a person. In fact I really never forget her and often quote her, or describe her wisdom to others.
I have often gone back and told others how she and her husband practiced humility one day, which helped me to change within even more. And that was the evening, when she called me on the phone and asked me to come over and talk to him. I was stunned. Imagine asking this alcoholic, who was being sponsored by him, and her as well, to come over and deal with something bothering them both.
However, though I found myself stumbling, thinking about this, I did what I was told. I came over and quietly told him what I thought I should. All I could say was, “I know what you would say to me.” That was all. He didn’t say anything, other than we would go to our night meeting. And we did.
Talk about being shown what real humility is all about, this was it. I can never forget this gift. Another spiritual awakening, though none of this was ever talked about. It just was.
As I wrote this, I was reminded within about the time she and I were sitting by ourselves, in this huge auditorium at a large AA convention. As we were talking, one of the directors came over and interrupted us, and asked her if she would step up and speak to those attending, at the meeting tonight. I know the only time she ever publicly spoke was at meetings we attended. She grabbed my forearm and squeezed it so tight I lost my breath. I know she was shocked and told him “No”. Like I said, she would never ever do this. But I never forgot how this got me to laugh with her later on.
The reason this all came up was because I was given an email from a friend, who had received it from one of the women she had helped so often, when she got sober. It was a brilliant discussion about the wisdom and the spiritual help she had been giving our friend. It reminded me of the wisdom and grace she gave me.
She and her extremely helpful husband passed away years back, but their memories are still there for so many of us, whom they so generously helped. But the lessons in humility still are there in my mind. Never want to forget what I so seriously need from time to time in here. Makes me grateful, as it has so many more of us.