My early sponsor in Al-Anon who gave me the nudge and then the support to take off the door between the rooms of Al-Anon and AA. Great Sponsor and teacher...tireless and patient (needed tons of that stuff to keep me going back then). I know he loved me cause that had to be the tap root for his motivation and continued support. I was eager and I wasn't easy. When I told him that I had finally taken the evaluation (entrance exam) for Alcoholism and was accepted with full scholarship he smiled. When I asked him about my concern he told me "You have to find and use what ever is available to gain and maintain your sobriety". I was nine years without a drink and knew not a stitch about relapse. The admission nurse on the inpatient adult rehab facility I counseled at reviewed the evaluation and told me (it was anonymous of course) that "whoever this assessment belong to needs to be in inpatient recovery immediately or the next time they drink they die". I knew her and Don from the other room and both of them held the AA door open for me and nudged me inside.
Don T has passed on but not in my mind, heart or spirit. I can continue to stay serene and sober partly on what he added to my foundation which is formitable. I am grateful beyond imagination and will give away as much of what he left me with to any other person striving to escape the fatal nature of our disease. Mahalo Akua...Thank you God!! Let Don have as much cake and ice cream as he can stand.
Jerry, my condolences on your loss. I feel the same about my late sponsor. These generous men, though they are no longer with us, nevertheless left their spirit, their message, and their example with us. We are so much richer through knowing them and, of course, they have now passed the candle to us to carry on. god bless, MikeH.
Jerry, prayers sent your way and also to Ron's family. Sounds like a great man. May Ron's message never be forgotten. You will always have a piece of his spirit in your heart and soul.
Thanks for sharing that Jerry. My sponsor, the one who got through to me and never gave up when it seemed everyone else had, his name was Lloyd M. He went to the big meeting in the sky about 8 years ago and although I have another sponsor, I have never forgotten what Lloyd did for me. Ironically, I never asked him to be my sponsor and he never volunteered to be my sponsor, but I have always considered him my sponsor. Old school, hard-nosed, back to basics. I guess a lot of him lives on in me. I never knew your sponsor but knowing you as little as I do, I think he must have been a great man and I'm sure he will live on through you.
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Not all my days are priceless, but none of my days are worthless, anymore.
