Being relatively new to the program I have recently found myself relocating, not a geographical cure but a necessary work related one.  After a few days on the road with out any meetings, I found myself fighting some of my old demons, fear, (of the unknown) anxiety, self pity etc.

            Not surprisingly my serenity was starting to slip and I needed a meeting, what is surprising is that I felt close to the same anxiety as I did on my very first meeting in my home town walking into the meeting in a new town tonight.

            Thankfully that was short lived, with in moments several people had shaken my hand and I felt like I belonged.  The meeting was awesome and I feel peace now. 

            This truly is an amazing fellowship and as I was told some time ago, Youre not alone.  Thank you AA for continuing to save my life and welcoming a road weary alcoholic.    

Hi Glen,

When I came into AA, I had no idea at first how many members it had, nor that it was global.  But as I started traveling for vacations or going on job related trips, I started finding meetings everywhere.  I've had to move several times in the past as part of job requirements and find new meetings in new cities and states. 

In 2005, I volunteered to go to El Salvador to help put up a retainer wall around an orphanage, in a terrorist war stricken area, and was pleasantly surprised that there was an AA meeting right around the corner from the orphanage.  AA in El Salvador!

One of the best things about AA to me is the friendliness of the members when you are new in their meeting.  Hands outstreached and hugs from strangers who instantly become friends or family.

I agree with you, AA is an AWESOME fellowship and I too love it dearly.  :)

About a year ago, someone sent me this e-mail and I loved it.  I am including it in my message here to share with you.

Love & Hugs,
Stephanie

A FLIGHT ATTENDANT'S STORY

"Anybody know a guy named Bill W.?"

     Grace was a flight attendant and had been suspended from her job with a major airline due to her untreated alcoholism.  She had been stealing the little miniature liquor bottles and drinking in airport bars in uniform.  Her employer, realizing she needed help, sent her to treatment.
     After the eight week program, it was suggested to her it might be a good idea to solidify her foundation in recovery before returning to work as she would be working in a high-risk environment (service alcohol, being out of town alone, etc.).  Grace did, however, return to work shortly after completing outpatient treatment,  One day while she was departing from a plane at the end of a long day a major craving for alcohol overpowered her.   There she was, in the Los Angeles International Airport pulling her roller-bag behind her when this massive craving to drink came over her.  She tried to just "think though it" or "just forget about it", but it was way too powerful. It was so powerful, in fact, that she had resigned to herself that she would just go drink.  Grace thought, Oh, the heck with it, I'll get another job; or maybe no one will find out anyway.  But deep down inside Grace did not want to drink.  She truly had wanted to stay sober, but she was in trouble.
     On her way to the bar in the airport, Grace had a moment of sanity.  She stopped, picked up the airport paging phone and said, "Will you please page Friends of Bill W.," she paused, quickly looking around for an empty gate, "to come to Gate 12?"
     Within minutes, over the paging system in the LA International Airport came, "Will friends of Bill W. please come to Gate 12.  Will friends of Bill W. please come to Gate 12".  Most people in recovery know that asking if you are a friend of Bill W. is an anonymous way to identify yourself as a member of AA.
     In less than five minutes there were about fifteen people at that gate from all over the world.  That brought tears of amazement, relief and joy to Grace.  They had a little meeting there at that empty gate, total strangers prior to that moment.  Grace discovered that two of those people had gotten out of their boarding lines and missed their flights to answer that call for help.  They had remembered what they had seen on so many walls of meeting rooms:  "When anyone, anywhere reaches out their hand for help, I want the hand of AA to always be there and for that I am responsible"
     Grace did not drink that day.  I would venture to guess that none of the people who came to Gate 12 drank that day either.  Instead Grace had a moment of clarity, realized she could not do it on her own, took the action of asking for help and received it immediately.  This help is available to all of us if we want it and sincerely ask for it.  It never fails.

When I used to drink, and I would travel, I would always go to bars because I was comfortable there, once I had a drink in my hand I knew how to start the bs conversation going and make a new friend.  Being in recovery has shown me that my motivation to go in the bar wasnt for the drink, it was the fellowship.  I love that I have found fellowship and connection with my Higher Power and people in a healthy way and I dont have to drink anymore to feel comfortable.  I am truly comfortable in my own skin, yes, a miracle in process.

Stephanie, thanks for the flight attendants story i have copied that, brought tears to my eyes

Good, it was one of those evenings when you were looking for something interesting online. I ran into chicken road , I decided to try several games and initially it didn't work. But after several attempts, the big hit came! The feeling was incredible, and the fact that the platform offers bonuses especially for players in Bulgaria made me come back that same evening.

-- Edited by Abamenko on Thursday 6th of November 2025 01:56:38 PM