It takes about a half hour to drive to work these days. Sooo sad gee I have to drive by the ocean then by Ft. Stevens among lilly pads Hug Blue Herons and deer. On a special day I may be greated by a Bald Eagle. Life is tough hugh? I get a lot of time to tell God what I want it to do..... On the Way to work, and I thank God for doing what it was going to do and not answering most of my wish list on the way home.
My first North Coast Round up was in 1985
but I was a whole two weeks sober the first time and in treatment. My jaw
was wired shut so God made sure I was a listening. All I can remember is Bob
Earl and Irish Annie. And I looked around the room from the balcony and I
saw all of those smiling faces and the people that were working on the
committee. man how did they do it sober? For the first time in my pathetic
life I was not ashamed. For the first time I could name my lonelyness, and
for the first time in my life I knew I could be a part of something that was
much bigger than me and my problems. It took two thousand drunks to make me feel whole.
I AM A MIRACLE! and SO ARE YOU!!! So send a letter and tell part of your story!
Doesn't have to be perfect, lord knows my spelling sucks. But ya know what? Your story might save a life and that is what this web site is all about.
God loves to make a miracle!
Just a "Howdy" to you from SouthEast Texas, Area 67.
Hoping this note finds you doing well today and enjoying life as never
before imagined.
Many thanks to God for our common set of suggestions whereby we may learn to
quit trying to run the show and quit playing God, (although personally still
remind myself repeatedly throughout each day--------but a good sponsor fits
in about here) and for examples of people still being responsible where the
hand of AA reaches out after many years of sobriety.
Our unusual Fellowship and common solution are a remarkable, living,
breathing, growing entity, and i am grateful to you for showing me the
existence of recovery in Seaside Or. all the way in Texas as a result of the
impact of the "twelve and twelve" in your life.
One of the things i recall learning soon after my arrival in AA is that the
difference between thankfulness and gratitude is that thankfulness is an
attitude, while true gratitude is an ongoing, responsible action.
As a newcomer, (10/5/01) just beginning to find what "the message" is to
carry has made AA the enjoyable and dependable anchor of my life when i
actually came in the doors in desperate search of a life preserver.
The challenge of just being willing to do something different about me today
than anything ever done before is one of the best parts of every day, ever
reminding me that being alive is a privilege, not a chore. What a far cry
from the attitude of just a few months ago, only as a result of a new set
of tools to use in making the only real adjustments that can be affected
from this perspective...mine.
Becoming involved in service on the Group, District, Area and State levels
have afforded me the privilege and opportunity to serve and carry the
message to other newcomers, while constantly being reminded that no matter
how far i go, i will always be one drink away from being a drunk. I never
want to forget the condition of my body, soul and spirit when i arrived
here.
You and other AA's who continue to suit up and show up and to reach out the
hand of AA to the frightened and desperate individual who land on the
doorstep of your home group, looking for just a glimmer of hope in the midst
of utter chaos and helplessness remind me of the unconditional love i
received when i arrived here (wanting me to want the best for myself) and
are constant reminders to pass that along as freely as you gave it to me.
I am constantly reminded that sobriety is just the tip of the iceberg of
recovery, and gifts (such as your website, and those "winners" i surround
myself with here) make me want more of this real life each day.
The only thing i ever fear is not having all the potential gifts that this
solution has to offer me and my family, and the fear of ever being the same
person who arrived here just over a year ago.
The sparkle i see in people's eyes...now that's for me !!!
So, this note is primarily just to thank you for your sobriety, your
recovery, your website, and your example, as well as for being there in to
carry the message.....all over the world.
Yours in service and fellowship
