My family goes camping many times per year with about 7 other families. Some of the adults do not drink, some drink normally, and a few drink alcoholically. I have not had a drink in many years, thanks to AA and my higher power. These are close friends and everyone is grateful for my recovery, and they know I give all the credit to my God and to AA. One friend, whose drinking has cost him his family, his career, and most of his friends, showed up to a campout uninvited. Even the little kids, who saw him approach the group, groaned. We grudgingly agreed amongst ourselves not to ask him to leave, as his ex-wife and young kids were there.
I personally hoped that he may approach me over the weekend for some help. One afternoon, as the rest of the group was down at the cockfighting, I found myself alone at the campfire with my friend.TThencame the words I was hoping to hear!
Here is the conversation. (Bear in mind that he, along with everyone else, knew well that a few years ago I had hit rock bottom. I lost my job, nearly lost my family, was in trouble with the law, lost my driver’s license, etc. Since then, by the grace of God, AA, and my sponsor, I had kept my family intact, gotten a great job, paid my debts, and gotten my driving privileges back, and had become happy, joyous, and free.)
Buddy—I see that everything is going good for you. You seem happy and your family seems happy. I hear you have a great job and I can see you can drive again.
Me—Yes, thank goodness, I am grateful to say that life is much better for me.
Buddy—So you were able to quit drinking all together? No sneaking any drinks?
Me—Yes, that is the case.
Buddy—So I hear that you attribute this to Alcoholics Anonymous.
Me—yes—AA has absolutely changed my life. AA is the only reason I am alive and free today sitting here.
Buddy—-Awwww—that crap doesn’t work!!!
There I was—IN THE FLESH—a living, breathing example of the miracle of AA and the 12 steps! And as a good alcoholic he dismissed that altogether. Oh, how we lie to ourselves while in our sickness. I do hope that one day he surrenders, and that I may be of service.
Anonymous