DULL . . . listless . . . semicomatose . . . I lay on my bed in a famous hospital for alcoholics. Death or worse had been my sentence. What was the difference? What difference did anything make? Why think of those things which were gone-why worry about the results of my drunken escapades?Continue reading “‘The Unbeliever’ – Big Book Story by Hank P. from the 1st Edition”
Category Archives: Fellowship
Someone Who Understood – Grapevine Article November 2020 by Dave S.
Hitting bottom would surely end his chance to adopt. Who on earth would let him raise their child now? Never underestimate the miracles of sobriety. Prior to getting sober, my wife and I initiated the process of private adoption in hopes of adding a child to our family. We had a 3-year-old daughter and weContinue reading “Someone Who Understood – Grapevine Article November 2020 by Dave S.”
Yes to Sobriety – Grapevine Article Web Exclusive by Ken K.
In the aftermath of the tragic death of a sponsee, his sponsor reflects back on life, service, and relapse in AA “Ken, I think something bad happened to Dan.” With those words, spoken softly over the telephone by a fellow recovering alcoholic early one evening last spring, my worst fears as an AA sponsor beganContinue reading “Yes to Sobriety – Grapevine Article Web Exclusive by Ken K.”
Reach Out and Touch Someone – Grapevine Article by Bob P August 1995
Separated by many miles, these AAs had a three-way meeting over the telephone I was nervous. I had been to nearly two thousand Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, but this was going to be one of the most unusual. It would be small; there were only three of us. I’d known Chuck for years, but I’d onlyContinue reading “Reach Out and Touch Someone – Grapevine Article by Bob P August 1995”
The Peace That Comes Through Pain – Grapevine Article October 1984 By D.J.
WHEN I GOT to treatment, I had nothing. That may not have been true physically, but it was emotionally and spiritually. I did not believe I was an alcoholic–I just had nowhere else to go. I had lost all faith in God as I had known him many years before. While in treatment, I sawContinue reading “The Peace That Comes Through Pain – Grapevine Article October 1984 By D.J.”
Anarchy Melts – Grapevine Article July 1946 By Bill W
It may be that Alcoholics Anonymous is a new form of human society. The first of our 12 Points of A.A. Tradition states, “Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first.Continue reading “Anarchy Melts – Grapevine Article July 1946 By Bill W”
Toward Reality – Grapevine Article April 1980 by C.B.
THE SPEAKER at my group’s closed meeting recounted her sponsor’s advice for dealing with her fears: “Don’t drink, go to daily meetings, and nothing bad can happen to you.” Not long before this meeting, dear AA friends who don’t drink and do go to many meetings had experienced probably the worst thing that can happenContinue reading “Toward Reality – Grapevine Article April 1980 by C.B.”
A Beacon in the Dark – Grapevine Article September 1991 By Nadene S
The power of our primary purpose The first time I sneaked my fearful, bewildered self into an AA meeting, I was struck by the seriousness and singlemindedness of the meeting and its participants. The meeting was a somber, pain-filled beginners meeting. These were the first real alcoholics I had ever seen, and unsure whether IContinue reading “A Beacon in the Dark – Grapevine Article September 1991 By Nadene S”
Mashup – Two Grapevine Articles From Same Author Charles H … Dec 2006 and Feb 2020 … 3rd step & the ‘we’
Dec 2006 – Whose Marriage Is It Anyway A rocky relationship in recovery I know what it is like to be a total failure as a father. On a cool November evening, I sat on a bench in a park near my house, trying to decide whether I wanted to live or die. My sixteen-year-oldContinue reading “Mashup – Two Grapevine Articles From Same Author Charles H … Dec 2006 and Feb 2020 … 3rd step & the ‘we’”
The Power of Pain – Grapevine Article July 2000 By Suzanne P
We all have painful emotions and memories to deal with when we get sober. Long-buried feelings surface, and we begin to see how much pain we caused ourselves and the people who cared about us. Can we live with this pain? I am coming to believe that we can, if we allow pain to flow,Continue reading “The Power of Pain – Grapevine Article July 2000 By Suzanne P”