Friday, July 14, 2006
Bill's Story - Suit-up and Show-up
"I soon found that when all other measures failed, work with another alcoholic would save the day."
Alcoholics Anonymous
Bill's Story
page 15
One of the best meetings I ever attended was one that almost didn't happen. A buddy of mine called late one evening and asked if I would go to a meeting with him. I didn't really want to go out because it had been a long week and I was comfortable at home. But, he talked me into it and we decided we would go to a new group that had a late meeting because he had heard good things about it. When we arrived, there was another meeting just ending and no one, except for the two of us, showed up for the later one. We sat around waiting for about fifteen minutes and then began discussing where we should go get a bite to eat. Just about then, a man walked in that was clearly in trouble.
As it turned out, he was about three days sober and had just learned that his son died in an automobile accident earlier that day. He was devastated. He wanted to drink, but it was his son who had convinced him to get help for his drinking. In fact, it was his son who drove him to his first A.A. meeting three days earlier.
I don't remember really saying much -- I mostly listened. He told us about his family and how his drinking had torn them apart. He told us about his work and how there had been problems there. And, of course, he talked about how he had let his son down and wouldn't be able to make amends. The three of us stayed in that meeting room on into the early hours of the morning. My buddy and I took him home around 3:30 a.m. He had survived probably the most horrible day of his life -- without a drink.
That was a few years ago and I still see him around. He now sponsors 3-4 guys (I think it's his way of honoring his son). He always thanks me for being there that night and I am humbled because all I did was show up at the wrong time for a meeting. He needed someone to talk to and I was there, but he gave me a gift that has helped keep me sober. If I ever get lazy or complacent, I remember that night. I am responsible to help others as they helped me -- that's how it works -- and sometimes it's enough to just suit-up and show-up.
Get the latest edition of:
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Services
aa addiction alcoholism recovery sponsornet substance abuse
Alcoholics Anonymous
Bill's Story
page 15
One of the best meetings I ever attended was one that almost didn't happen. A buddy of mine called late one evening and asked if I would go to a meeting with him. I didn't really want to go out because it had been a long week and I was comfortable at home. But, he talked me into it and we decided we would go to a new group that had a late meeting because he had heard good things about it. When we arrived, there was another meeting just ending and no one, except for the two of us, showed up for the later one. We sat around waiting for about fifteen minutes and then began discussing where we should go get a bite to eat. Just about then, a man walked in that was clearly in trouble.
As it turned out, he was about three days sober and had just learned that his son died in an automobile accident earlier that day. He was devastated. He wanted to drink, but it was his son who had convinced him to get help for his drinking. In fact, it was his son who drove him to his first A.A. meeting three days earlier.
I don't remember really saying much -- I mostly listened. He told us about his family and how his drinking had torn them apart. He told us about his work and how there had been problems there. And, of course, he talked about how he had let his son down and wouldn't be able to make amends. The three of us stayed in that meeting room on into the early hours of the morning. My buddy and I took him home around 3:30 a.m. He had survived probably the most horrible day of his life -- without a drink.
That was a few years ago and I still see him around. He now sponsors 3-4 guys (I think it's his way of honoring his son). He always thanks me for being there that night and I am humbled because all I did was show up at the wrong time for a meeting. He needed someone to talk to and I was there, but he gave me a gift that has helped keep me sober. If I ever get lazy or complacent, I remember that night. I am responsible to help others as they helped me -- that's how it works -- and sometimes it's enough to just suit-up and show-up.
Get the latest edition of:
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Services
aa addiction alcoholism recovery sponsornet substance abuse
# posted by Bill B. @ 9:04 PM 
