I thought about it first and came up with the opportunity anyway.  She was there at
my home group Sunday morning meeting at "AA at the Bay" Hilo.  Before the meeting
started we did our Ahas!! and hugged.  I listened as best I could to her "coming out"
statements but no doubt I'm deaf and the fellowship was getting noisey above the
sound of the surf so I just hugged her and was grateful.  She looks sooo much like
the Liquor Commissioner in Hilo and it made me want to laught and remember I have
to get by there again and drop off more information as the PI person in my district.
And still as the meeting was going on I was jump starting my memory but it needed
her input.  I use to work with or for her husband...he was my supervisor when I was
a case worker in the local Alternatives to Violence program, a place HP wanted me to
be at to share my ESH on the subject and help others out and then if I had stayed I
don't know if my program would have kept me from putting him down...soooo crazy
we are and yet we work in the system huh?  I left for a couple of well justified reasons
and with the guidance and thank you of my HP.  She, his wife, is another part of the
story.  She can share her ESH in a way that captivates those in the room who desire
to stay the course.  She has that spirit of communications and no doubt for me HP
uses her and uses her well and there she was at the end of the meeting with 5 minutes
left and she acknowledges my high sign and took the lead.  I felt at a loss for some
who had missed her over the last 5 years and grateful for those in the room who were
getting to hear from her today.  I had earlier remembered Father Joe Martin and the
solid contribution he made to my recovery and to the old timers all who did the same
and it was time to listen to her again.   I was a bit miffed and grateful at the same
time and after the meeting I spoke with her about not being there and about
memories of how she had helped and about always having room for her recovery
which she should consider filling.  

I find no justification at all to hide under a bucket, blanket or tarp of any kind that
which was freely given to me which saved my spirit, my mind, my emotions and
my body.   There is no justification to withhold it.  I will not take the responsibility
for the way it is received but it is my responsibility to "always be there".  I could
have closed my eyes and never known she was at the meeting and still known
who it was who was handing me the life ring.   "When anyone, anywhere, reaches
out for help.  I want the hand of AA to always be there and for that...I am responsible."

Grateful to those who came before me.

(((((hugs)))))

-- Edited by Jerry F on Sunday 2nd of May 2010 08:01:36 PM