........we know that the pains of drinking had to come before sobriety, and emotional turmoil before serenity. 12&12 p. 94 (my favorite!)
 
I love spending time in my garden feeding and pruning my beautiful flowers. One day, as I was busily snipping away, a neighbor stopped by. She commented , "Oh!" Your plants are so beautiful, it seems such a shame to cut them back. " I replied, " I know how you feel, but the excess must be removed so they can grow stronger and healthier." Later I thought that perhaps my plants feel pain, but *God and I know it's part of the plan and I've seen the results. I was quickly reminded of my precious AA program and how we all grow through pain. I ask *God to prune me when it's time, so I can grow.