I attend Lambda Center for almost all of my AA meetings. All Lambda groups celebrate AA birthdays on the last Saturday of the month, which was last night.
There were 33 men and women celebrating a total of 419 years of sobriety. There were 3 guys who received their first-year medallion and the oldest celebrant had 31 years. I always enjoy listening to the gratitude of those who reach a new milestone. It's an affirmation that this program works when we work it. It's always touching to hear someone whose life might otherwise have ended years ago. All of that honesty and integrity were a shining light (No, James Frey was not there).
Last night, as I listened to those 33 grateful human beings, I was humbled. For what may be the first time that I have realized this, I was proud to be an alcoholic.
7 comments:
Wow. Thanks so much for sharing that.
I agree. I have begun to sit in the back, but directly in front of the lecturn. From that seat I can see the speaker directly and also observe the whole room. I could see the friends and family that were there to support the celebrants. I, too, was moved many times last night listening to another alcoholic state their gratitude.
To quote the fabulous David Stone from last night, "This is important work we are doing."
That sounds wonderful. Wish I could of been there.
I see you,
JJ
Count one more among the grateful yesterday... 1/28 was my 10 yr anniversary.. and it would never have been possible without my HP and AA. I got to celebrate mine among about 70 friends, at the 30th anniversary of my old home group.
Dave, I love your posts, and can't wait to keep readng... I just started a lil ole' blog of my own called sobernuggets. Oh, and I can really relate to you difficulties with isolating... Peace and blessings... Stay higherpowered!!
I remember when I became proud to be an alcoholic (in recovery of course). It was another in a never ending series of spirtual awakenings.
For the first 5 years of my sobriety I too attended gay meetings almost exclusively. Last summer I stuck my big toe into the bigger world of mainstream AA. I was amazed at what I had been missing and for that I am grateful.
Thanks for sharing. I have been sober for 34 years and extrememly grateful to AA for giving me a life. The program also gave me the courage to stand up for myself as a Gay male. I have been part of a group marching in the Toronto Pride parade under the "Clean, Sober & Proud" banner for the past 20 years. I also volunteered on the Pride Committee for a couple of years to give back to the community.
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