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XVIII – No Matter What
I had my last drink on January 4, 2001. That means that my first day of sobriety was on January 5, 2001, 18 years ago. I share my AA birthday with a friend who posted “X – No Matter What” on Facebook Saturday. I posted “XVIII – No Matter What” on my Facebook page.
I got one cake each for us and had them decorate the AA symbol of a triangle inside a circle with the numbers 18 for me and 10 for her inside the triangles. I took the cakes to the “Happy Hour” AA Meeting.
The room was packed with over 50 people. This is a blue-collar meeting, a couple of people are just a step or two above homeless. People were handed out numbered tickets when they came in. A dozen smokers smoked right outside the door. When the meeting started, we went around to introduce ourselves. “My name is Gary, and I am an alcoholic.” “Hello, Gary.” About 30 people identified as “alcoholic,” 15 identified as “alcoholic/addict,” and five said that they were there to support others. (This was an “open” meeting of AA, all are welcome.)
One member read from “How It Works” from the Big Book of AA. The Leader said that this was a “Chip Meeting” for varying lengths of sobriety. “Does anyone want a 24-Hour, Desire to stop drinking chip, the most important chip?” 1, 2, 3 months? 4, 5, 6 months? 7, 8, 9 months? 10, 11, 12 months? Any AA birthdays? We had birthdays of 5 months, 7 months, 10 years, and 18 years. My chip had the Roman numerals of “XVIII” inside the triangle inside the circle. I passed around my chip to the right. In a little while I got chips with the numbers 5, and 7, and Roman Numeral “X” on them. I put the chips to my forehead, prayed over them, then passed them on.
Is there a topic for today? My 10-year birthday friend suggested “Whatever It Takes.”
Tickets were pulled. About six people in, my number was called. The shares were brief and inspiring. They were usually joyful. One man congratulated the chip-getters, and added that his sobriety began when the State of Arizona had arrested him! People laughed. The “F” word was used fairly often.
Cake was handed out. I have not had such a delicious dessert this year.
At the halfway point, we passed the basket. One person read the 12 Promises of AA. About six people put their court papers in the basket, which the leader signed with her first name and initial.
As time was running out, the leader asked if there was anyone whose number had not been pulled who wanted to share.
“Any AA Announcements?” “Please sign up for the roundup the first weekend in June.” “Any other 12 Step Announcements?” “There is a Meeting here for Heroin Anonymous on Tuesdays at 8:30 pm, and Saturday’s at 3 pm.” “Any Fellowship Announcements?” “I am transitioning out of a halfway house and am looking for a sober living experience in renting a room.”
One hour after we started we were done. We held hands and said the Third Step prayer:
God, I offer myself to Thee – To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life.
May I do Thy Will always!
Congrats Gary!
But really, Gary, did you have to make them rum cakes? 😜
Seriously, though, congratulations.
I have accidentally eaten rum cake, only to spit it out. Oh well.
Way to go Gary!
OohRah, Gary! Panda Hug and continuing prayers… :-)
Congratulations and continued success!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆
Congrats
Congrats, Gary! Definitely something to celebrate.
Congrats, Gary!
Keep comin’ back!
It works if you work it!
Ditto!
Thank you for choosing to live and to encourage others to live as well.
Congratulations!
I have Vitaligo an auto- immune disease whereas my body attacks and destroys some of my melanin giving me white spots. I was told to keep these from getting a sunburn and otherwise it was not a problem. However a little over two years ago my new family doctor advised me that having one autoimmune disease raises my chances of getting diabetes by a factor of 10. My numbers for blood sugar had started to increase although staying on the high side of normal. Although not a heavy driver I did enjoy my wine with and after dinner. January 1, 2016 I gave up drinking with out any assistance.It was not a problem and I really don’t miss it. AA does amazing work. I have had family members use it mostly with good results. Congratulations Gary for becoming the master of your own life for the last ten years.
I encourage you to go to an AA meeting and to pick up your 3 year chip! You enjoyed your wine with and after dinner. While you weren’t in agony, you made a change, and it was a loss. You getting a chip will inspire others, such as those with 5 and 7 months sobriety at last night’s meeting to know that they too can attain 3 years of sobriety as 10 or 18 years of sobriety may look too distant.
Tomorrow I will have surgery to remove one foot of my large intestine. I will be talking my 18 year chip with Roman Numerals XVIII with me.
I will be carrying with me next year, taking it and my cell phone out when I come to the metal detectors at the Courthouse. I once left it on the table, and Court Security knew “Oh, that’s Gary’s.”
Nice job Gary.
Happy XVIII “birthday” Gary.
And if we couldn’t drive you back to drink, nobody can. Good work. Thanks for telling us.
Can you imagine me under the influence of alcohol? Scary!
I will pray for you for tomorrow. Hopefully, no-one tomorrow will have. an “Oh, that’s Gary’s” moment. ;
Well done, Gary, and God bless!
Prayers ongoing and intensified tomorrow, Gary!
I will take that under consideration.
We will pray for you but watch those doctors. Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile.
Congratulations on XVIII and best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
Congratulations. Stay strong.
I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow. I hope your surgery goes well.
You, Gary, are money. A long journey, worthwhile for the weary traveler. God Bless You and yours, and may health and prosperity always descend on you.