The energy in the cramped room filled with
recovering alcoholics brought feelings of humility, companionship and wisdom to my senses.
I was there to celebrate my son’s anniversary and was surrounded
by others of like-mind who also felt a kinship with him. Complete strangers, some of them, friends for life, most of them, the
members of this amazing fellowship listened quietly and with respect to the topic explored that evening. Each member was invited to share his and her experience with the group . Some chose to pass on the topic while others spoke with keen
enthusiasm for the excitement brought on by alcohol and the downside of not
knowing when to stop. Some spoke of losses repeated over and over with each
relapse, while others, too new to the program to know the consequences
of giving in to their obsession, spoke of their gratitude for having a place to
land and share their hidden feelings.
I felt camaraderie and love emitting from the
attendees to the ends of my toes. I took in a deep breath to absorb the moment and
released a quiet exhale with the hope that the feelings of compassionate brother and
sisterhood would stay with me. The power of the meeting’s tone remains with me
and I am grateful.
At the end of the meeting we stood, clasped hands and
chanted the prayer that is shared around the world:
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference.
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