While at a meeting last night, I put my keys, phone and cup of coffee under the seat I was sitting in. A woman sitting behind me, quietly took my keys and left the meeting. No one in the meeting thought anything of it. I went outside about half way through it, not knowing my keys had been taken... walked into the parking lot to find my car had been stolen! I called the police, I got my car back and she is now in jail. Seems this person might have tried to fight with police or an inmate once in jail, because she is also charged with a simple assault on top of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Watch what you put under your seat in a meeting... it might end up gone before the meeting is over.
I was very pissed about it for about an hour or so. Just upset that someone in AA would do such a thing. I posted something similar as above on my facebook with her sheriff dept. mugshot, which shows full name, date of birth, charges, etc. Then "suddenly the thought crossed my mind".... Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions,ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
This woman is obviously still in the grip of the disease. I am sure she didn't end up in a AA meeting by mistake. It saddens me more that someone caught in the grip of this hideous disease can't get a break or "reprieve" for just showing up in the rooms, than the fact my car was taken. When it has someone wrapped that tight, it is the essence of true powerlessness.
This morning, my sponsor who saw my post about Valentines day, and being a cupid asked..."did you shoot her with a dose of Love?"
My response was, "yes, I didn't interfere with allowing her to hit the bottom she needs to find. I allowed her to suffer the consequences of her behavior, which I believe is a by-product of this disease. I loved her enough to send her to jail, and remove her personal information from my Facebook timeline". Then he asked.. "If you see her re-enter the rooms, what would you say to her?" My reply..."Welcome Home".
Then I'd make sure my keys, were in my damn pocket!
I have a feeling that God will see to it that you cross paths with her again under very different circumstances. You might even get the opportunity to offer her a ride home from a meeting, or help her understand a Step she needs help with and gain sobriety. What an awesome possibility for healing to happen in her life. Blessings, Mike D.
I suspect the "Man Upstairs' had something to do with this ... I don't think things like this happen by mistake ... thanks for setting a good example for us and others John ... not sure how I would have handle it ... of course I don't have a car born on my sobriety date either ... you really are 'one ofa kind John, glad you're here with us ... and for making this web site possible ...
Love ya man and God Bless, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
John,
That was so forgiving of you (maybe a better word to use but cannot think of one right now) to not announce on FB who stole your car and respect her anonymity.
I am glad your car is back. It is beautiful, but not nearly as beautiful as your story, and finding out your sobriety date is the date your car was manufactured brought tears to my eyes for some reason.
The lady has taste too John...a Beemer convert at that...If you're gonna do it...do it strong!! Great that she attempted it from someone who loves her. She might not be focused on that for the moment tho.
Had a night in Central Valley where another members vehicle was stolen along with him...Two people waylayed him on his way to the mens room and had him lead them to his car. The stuffed him in the trunk and took off on a 500 miles "loop" run; up north and back. That took a couple of days and his wife and family worried that he might have "gone back out"...which of course he did but not in the usual fellowship understanding. She waited a day and then reported both him and the car missing and both sides of the hallway bowed in prayers for them both and the family. Come monday night I'm sitting the dispatch board for the CHiPs in Central Valley and a highway unit makes a stop on the car because of the plates listing the car as missing along with the driver. Same two people were in it. I IDed the car as the one reported and was elated that at least it was found and then "it" at that time didn't include him. While the beat officers held the car roadside and then eventually let the two guys walk as "unauthorized to operate" the vehicle the officers heard a knocking from inside the trunk and when they open the trunk there was our fellow a bit scared, hungry and thirsty and awful grateful for the end of what was a kidnapping. The officers asked him why he didn't knock on the lid of the trunk when he first heard their voices and our AA fellow responded "These guys took me with at gun point and promised to shoot thru the back seat and kill me if I gave them trouble". He went back out and never went back out. His wife was beyond belief and grateful as was the rest of the family and the entire central valley fellowship. Hows that for an excuse for not showing up at home after a meeting....LOL
Your thief missed the best part of the Beemer...a sober owner. Wooohooo!! (((hugs)))
-- Edited by Jerry F on Saturday 15th of February 2014 11:48:16 PM
