This is what I heard in AA meetings every day. I kept coming back because I enjoyed the fellowship. Then I found that fellowship cannot be sustained for any period of time. It was not sufficient on it's own. Then I got on to the program of recovery. I worked the steps of recovery and really got better. My wife and kids also did exactly what I had done. We ended up building a wonderful family. Now I keep coming back, not for fellowship or to work a program only, but also to pay back a debt. A debt of gratitude, to help the still suffering alcoholic and his family. I am not a drug addict, but I help my NA friends also. I have built very close bonds with many of them and their families. My passion is to see people recover and rebuild their families. It's done in God's way and I just follow what He asks me to do. The tragedy is that those who recover have not fulfilled their obligation to AA and I have to watch them suffer from the ravages of alcoholism. My repayment is active participation in every aspect of recovery; going to meetings, sponsorship of newcomers, explaining the steps through my personal experience. For 22 years the passion never died. Every single day, I take up that invitation to keep coming back. My wife and I look forward to this every day. For us it's a God given privilege, just to be a part of your life. What an exalted position to be in.
That may take many different forms, and none is more-than or less-than another, as long as we are living that 12th step...and living it as the result of living 1-11.
I missed my Sat. Big Book meeting today and am grateful to have MIP for the dose of recovery, as shared by others, that I wanted.
