Hi all. As some of you know, I moved cities a few months ago. I was nervous about AA in a new city - in a lot of ways it felt like starting over. I missed the familiarity of my former meetings and it felt like there was a whole new crowd of people that all knew each other. I went to lots of different meetings but waffled for ages on choosing a home group until about a month and a half ago.
I am happy to report that I LOVE my home group, and it truly feels like home. I've met some great people and I'm digging into service work. Anyway, that's my report from the trenches. I hope anyone who is moving or has recently moved (PAPPY, for example!) will take heart.
My home group is really old. We moved buildings about 20 years ago. When I have a dream of AA, it is in the old building even!
Oh yes, the old home group is number one with me. Back when AA was new and magical. When the old timers were perfect. I miss the long term friends. I remember old friends, now passed on, sitting around chatting with them on life, love, and crazy teenage kids.
Sitting in the clubhouse before meetings, reviewing the 12&12 with a new guy.
Those are awesome memories never to be replaced! I have some new friends, but I was in that group for 15 years before a job transfer.
Home group will always be home. I can still visit when we visit relatives, so we keep in touch :)
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"I spent a lifetime in hell and it only took me twelve steps to get to heaven."
"Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you."
Nice to hear RT! My Sponsors number 1 priority was "find a Home Group". I love my Home Group too. I love Home Groups so much I have two. It's nice to walk in and have most of the folks know you. Give and receive hugs and handsakes. Means a lot to me. It's nice to feel wanted, needed and loved. Isn't that what we always wanted but were blocked from seeing it or incapable of give and receiving it?
I am so glad you are happy with your home group, Ruby Tues....
As Mike said, "It's nice to feel wanted, needed and loved. Isn't that what we always wanted but were blocked from seeing it or incapable of give and receiving it?" :)
I'll never forget walking into my homegroup for my first meeting there. I just looked at these people like they were so different than me. How was I going to put up with this? I knew I had to do this but man. The more I kept coming back to that meeting...Everyday for my first year as a matter of fact...It didn't take me long to figure out I much I was like them. I hate to say it...I also feel the more I showed up...The more these people opened up to me....Almost as if I had to earn their respect. They could see I was taking this seriously...I didn't show up at meetings and talk about how bad my day was...I shared about what step I was working on...Or I listened....A lot more listening than sharing. After a couple years in this program....I've seen so many people come and go. Some come back...A lot don't....It's just the way it is. I guess I can see where that expression "I've earned my seat here." comes from....I always thought it had to do with the beating I took from alcohol....But now I think there is more to it than that. I put in the effort....And it paid off. It is like walking into my home when I go to meetings there now...I'm closer with some of these people than I am with some of my family members....They are family. It's hard to describe the feeling I get sitting down in there today...It's like God put me right where I'm supposed to be.....And I love it.
That's just beautiful, stepchild. I am doing what you did...showing up at meetings, more listening than sharing. I too felt so different and it took me awhile to realize that I probably have more in common with the people in the meetings than I have with any other group of people I have been around or in. It seems that people are more talkative, open with me now. I do have to force myself to be open with others. Still hard for me, and still run out of the meetings sometimes afterwards, so I am facing my own demons or whatever with that. And the saddest thing for me is noticing when people that were coming to the meetings, don't show up. I guess even the ones I haven't had many or any face to face contact with, I still feel close to them and miss them. So glad you are happy where you are too. I am still looking for a homegroup. Know I should have had one by now. There are a lot of meetings I attend and there are almost too many choices to choose from. I love them all. Would even love that one I posted about to be my homegroup because although it scares me....there are hardly any homegroup "members", it is a rougher (can I say "hardcore".....) group, and I feel more needed there for some reason. I am really a very confused person.
Haven't made it to any meetings in a few weeks ... I'v got my list of groups up here, but just bogged down trying to get organized ... I must try to get to some meetings soon ... my batteries are almost empty ... ... ... Thank God for MIP, you guys help me more than you know ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
That is good to know, stepchild....I may have more than one as well then.
(((Pappy))))) So sorry about your situation and not being able to make meetings right now.... but hey until your load lightens there and you can make meetings again, their loss is our gain, right folks?
You too, Pappy! You are one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back!...to this board and wanting to stay in AA! Your awesome posts and concern for others are well--AWESOME!
It's nice to walk in and have most of the folks know you. Give and receive hugs and handsakes. Means a lot to me. It's nice to feel wanted, needed and loved. Isn't that what we always wanted but were blocked from seeing it or incapable of give and receiving it?