Today I got a call from the hospital about our fellow alcoholic, Roger, who I have posted about. The infection in his lungs was too intractable and they had finally decided to remove the ventilator. When I got there I met his ex partner and her friend who had been flown down from up north and together we helped Roger through his last hours. I visited with him a few times and although he could not talk, we managed quite a bit of communication. Talking to his friends it was surprising how much I had actually learned about him. They couldn't believe it, but like your post says we alcoholics understand each other. Roger died as the result of an accident which happened due to him drinking again. But I am convinced that while lying in that hospital bed he once again made the decision to go to any lengths to get sober and was very keen to get back to his home town meetings and begin helping others. He wasn't too happy with his God, but seemed happy enough to borrow mine and we prayed together from time to time. And I know he was grateful for all the support and prayers from the AA groups and my MIP family. At the end I am sure that in his heart and in his mind he was sober and he did achieve what most sober alcoholics would wish, to die sober.
Frodo, you post really hit the spot for me. Thanks,
God bless, Mike H.
-- Edited by Fyne Spirit on Thursday 19th of April 2012 06:33:26 AM
We recovered alcoholics are not so much brothers in virtue as we are brothers in our defects, and in our common strivings to overcome them. AS BILL SEES IT, p. 167
The identification that one alcoholic has with another is mysterious, spiritualalmost incomprehensible. But it is there. I feel it. Today I feel that I can help people and that they can help me. It is a new and exciting feeling for me to care for someone; to care what they are feeling, hoping for, praying for; to know their sadness, joy, horror, sorrow, grief; to want to share those feelings so that someone can have relief. I never knew how to do thisor how to try. I never even cared. The Fellowship of A.A., and God, are teaching me how to care about others.
Because we share a common problem and a common solution this man I loved and never met. That's the Fellowship in action. Prayers sent to my brother Roger.
Because we share a common problem and a common solution this man I loved and never met. That's the Fellowship in action. Prayers sent to my brother Roger.
