The Fellowship Is Still Around Me
I don't remember much about my first meeting. No, I wasn't drunk. I was one day sober. On walking in I was greeted by several people and asked if it was my first meeting. I was given coffee, a welcome pack, offered a seat and told what was going to happen. What did happen was that I sat and cried all through the meeting. No one said I couldn't. I was comforted and told it would be okay. Several people told me I would be fine and to come to as many meetings as I could. Other than that I don't remember much.
When I got home I felt a little strange. I'm not one to cry easily. Only later did I realise that they were tears of relief. Relief that I was in the right place. Relief that I didn't have to go on the way I was. Relief that I was with people who understood what was wrong with me. The realisation that I was in the right place and that I could get better with the help of the Fellowship was overwhelming. The changes in my life in the short time I have been coming to AA are fantastic.
Even now, in this most unusual of times, the Fellowship is still around me. My group members are on social media every day and on the phone when they can be, offering advice, encouragement and support. I have had offers of assistance from several people who are happy to help anyone in difficulties.
Online meetings have sprung up all over the place as well and I can drop into a meeting at any time now I'm at home. This is very rewarding as we are all in the same boat and coping in different ways. Isolation is not good for sobriety but these meetings bring hope and fellowship when most needed.
Doing what is suggested, ODAAT, has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. With the help of my group and the friends I have made in AA I intend to keep doing them to the best of my ability. I love being in recovery and I love Alcoholics Anonymous.
Donald
Wishaw Thursday Night Meditation Group