I remember my first AA convention. Actually, up here in the maritimes, we call them round-ups. It was 1998. I think I had about four months in. There was a young lady who had gone to the event to support a colleague from work but during the banquet speaker's talk she realized that she herself was alcoholic and when we did the sobriety countdown, where the member with the longest time presents the newcomer with the shortest time a Big Book, Leann got the book.
Every day, in meetings, when the chairperson would ask for announcements from the floor pertaining to AA, Leann would raise her hand and say, My name is Leann, I'm a grateful alcoholic and I have 10 days sober (or eleven or fifteen, whatever day it was) She did this every day for 21 days. On day 22, she didn't say anything, so I raised my hand and said my name is Bernie I'm a recovered alcoholc and if I'm not mistaken Leann has 22 days.
After the meeting, Leann came up to me and thanked me. She said thank you for listening to my silly announcement. We've been friends ever since and as far as I know she would have 5,161 days today.
The wedding gown my wife wore on new years eve, 1999, was given to her by Leann. Its funny the things that stick out in one's memory.
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Not all my days are priceless, but none of my days are worthless, anymore.
Thanks Bernie ,cool.........yes when we first come around we may feel insignificant but it is the "WE" of the program that can help us move forward a day at a time.......Keep it definitely on me here,but looks as if it goes around
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
hi family, i have been to 2 women's AA retreats and one Winterfest in Redding California. what a blessing! encouraging the newcomers and rejoicing with the old timers.... and then all us 'tweeners listening and laughing at all the old jokes. soaking up the AA sunshine, it is sweet.
Thanks for the post. It reminds me once again that the life blood of my sobriety and AA rests upon the newcomer. Whenever I am wallowing in self pity or some crazy resentment that won't go away, it's the new man who comes to my rescue.
Yes, Mark - we say that at my noon meeting - and yesterday someone came for their first ever meeting, and I wasn't the newcomer anymore! It was nice to focus on someone else, really nice.
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
This had put a smile on my face, and I have gone all bashful and blushing :} lol. I had my first slow dance with my husband at my first convention 1993 it was in Essex England where we come from. And we married on New years eve 1999 too :} In Paphos Cyprus. He carried me into the pool at the hotel with my wedding dress still on at midnight ! We had both gone back on the drink by this time and the reason was and I have posted under (( ''Keep coming back '' on here.)), We thought we had it all and cracked it,like so many do ! we learnt the hard way and our friends at that very convention were helpless to help us because we did not help ourselves. :{
Today we both do all we can to keep our sobriety. Its the most important thing to us. I was at the point of giving up on my marriage and today we are working a day at a time with a new way of living, I cherish the memories of our first few happy years together. And we both keep the nightmare years at the forefront of our sharing because we are so grateful today.
WOW Wolfie thanks :} and Tasha keep coming back it gets better. We are all winners :}
