ON Thursday, October 31, 1963 Dr. Sam Shoemaker, the great Episcopal clergyman and first friend of AA, passed from our sight and hearing. He was one of those few without whose ministration AA could never have been born in the first place–nor prospered since. From his teaching, Dr. Bob and I absorbed most of theContinue reading “In Memory Of Dr. Sam – Grapevine Article January 1964 By Bill W.”
Category Archives: Grapevine Articles
Some Longtime Views – Grapevine Article March 1984 By P.O.
MAY A SPECIAL shaft of serenity shine upon some alcoholic who thought up and shared that pleasant word “long-timer” instead of “old-timer.” I must reciprocate with some long-time views! One month ago, I shared my thirty-fifth AA birthday on a Sunday night at a meeting in Rondebosch. There was no banquet, no bells, not evenContinue reading “Some Longtime Views – Grapevine Article March 1984 By P.O.”
Let There Be Light – Grapevine Article November 2025 By Elsie T.
An Ohio member expresses her love of our braille literature in a May 1957 Grapevine article This morning it arrived just like that—I mean the Big Book in braille! The postman placed in my arms four of those six precious volumes, cautioning me to not drop them. Drop them—how could I? This for which IContinue reading “Let There Be Light – Grapevine Article November 2025 By Elsie T.”
Cold Land Warm Hearts – Grapevine Article December 2023 By Keith J.
How would they find alcoholics to help in a small, remote Arctic town? One guy had a terrific solution Moving north to a remote community is something I never thought we would do. We heard depressing stories about the cold, dark winters and leaving everything and everyone behind, but God had an assignment for meContinue reading “Cold Land Warm Hearts – Grapevine Article December 2023 By Keith J.”
Telling The Worst – As Bill Sees It #311
Though the variations were many, my main theme was always “How godawful I am!” Just as I often exaggerated my modest attainments by pride, so I exaggerated my defects through guilt. I would race about, confessing all (and a great deal more) to whoever would listen. Believe it or not, I took this widespread exposureContinue reading “Telling The Worst – As Bill Sees It #311”
Don’t Drink, and Change the Rest of Your Life – Grapevine Article December 1995 By Anonymous
STEP 12: Having bad a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. “There are only two things you have to do to stay sober,” the old-timer with the gravel voice told me. “Don’t drink one day atContinue reading “Don’t Drink, and Change the Rest of Your Life – Grapevine Article December 1995 By Anonymous”
The Olive Branch – Grapevine Article September 2025 By Charlene P
Repairing relationships is an amazing thing. But the amends this mother experienced was to “dye” for Today I sit here at an AA women’s retreat full of gratitude. Sometimes, trying to find gratitude when you’re lonely and have no contact with family can be challenging. I have six years and almost eight months of sobriety,Continue reading “The Olive Branch – Grapevine Article September 2025 By Charlene P”
Tough Love – Grapevine Article April 2022 By Pat K.
A member shares her thoughts about applauding when people come back from multiple relapses I recently attended the memorial for a woman who I had sponsored on and off for about eight years. Although she went to meetings pretty regularly over that time, when she died she was not sober. As I listened to theContinue reading “Tough Love – Grapevine Article April 2022 By Pat K.”
Editorial By Bill – Grapevine Article November 1958 By Bill W
THIS is Thanksgiving time; our gratitude should certainly be boundless. Twenty-four years ago this month, I landed in a hospital for the last time. Then and there I received the gift of sobriety. Like all who have since joined AA’s ranks, I was given a chance to choose what I would do with my newContinue reading “Editorial By Bill – Grapevine Article November 1958 By Bill W”
Swimming With the Current – Grapevine Article August 2025 By John K.
To him, AA is a program of action, not belief. If we’re honest, kind and living in the love, we’re going the right way When I was a month or so sober, a fellow came up to me after a meeting and declared emphatically, “You’ll never stay sober if you don’t accept God in yourContinue reading “Swimming With the Current – Grapevine Article August 2025 By John K.”