Got a call today from an old friend I have known for well over 30 years in this program. We don’t get much chance to see each other since she lives out of state. But we are never really apart. Whenever we talk, it’s like we never stopped talking. Time and distance have no effect on either one of us. It’s the same with another friend in Texas. We’re always together. That’s what AA did for us.
We talked about the miracle of AA. Just the fact that we’re sober is a miracle to both of us. Her words and thoughts made me go back and look at our history and the history of others we have known over the years. Those who are still sober, those who have stayed sober and passed on. And then those who didn’t.
Coincidentally we both ran into people at meetings this week with the same story. Both had long term “sobriety” or just not drinking, but not going to meetings either. Both drank again and they hit their bottoms very quickly and ended up in the rooms with people like us. But the significant thing was that it illustrated to both of us that, even though we’re sober and not drinking, we’re still powerless over alcohol and alcohol is still out there waiting for us.
It reminded both of us of the importance of “we”. We cannot do this alone. We need to go to meetings and be with others like ourselves, who can remind us of what it is we need to do daily so that we can remain sober. And to be available to hear the stories, like those above, which serve to remind us that we are still vulnerable. No matter how long we’ve been in here, it’s still a day at a time.
But most of all, among other things, we had to express our gratitude for all that has been given to us. In spite of the fact this journey has not always been easy and that we’ve often stumbled over our imperfections we’re still here. And we’re both amazed at that fact and how important a role our higher power has had in our lives, which has provided us with the grace needed to continue this way of life.
We also talked about the mystery of this spiritual life we’ve been given to live. The presence of the God of our understanding in our every moment and how forgetful we both can be of that presence. A reminder to me to offer thanks often during the day. Especially, when I find myself stepping over the edge and missing the mark.
Anyway, though we talked of many other things, our conversation about the program I remember and how encouraging it was for both of us. Thanks, I thought. I needed that. I always will.