Alcoholics Anonymous - WOW

As some of you may know, due to circumstances in my life and a brain injury, I landed in a homeless shelter for a temporary stay. It's quite a story in here, but sometimes something comes along that just knocks my socks off.

It came along in the story of Jackie B. Jackie B is a recovering alcoholic - five years now. That's impressive. She's had quite a stint as an alcoholic, and knows if she ever takes another drink, she'll be gone again. She is currently fighting the demons in her life, as becoming homeless & living in a shelter is a hard pill to swallow.

The night she arrived, we hugged "hello". It was a hug that came from our hearts - like a hug of two old souls meeting each other. I felt the warmth from her immediately.

Those in a homless shelter don't always have everything they need with them. Many are on the run & the packing has been done quite quickly.

The first thing Jackie was told by the social worker here was to get herself to a meeting - that her self-care was the most important thing for her to do.

That's how I saw AA go into action.

Anything Jackie was missing, her sponsor made sure it was there for her.

Jackie was leaving her family. The entire family is alcoholic and abusive to each other. Jackie has made the decision to walk away from them.

In a phone conversation with her father, he told her she had until Sunday (a couple of days away) to get all her stuff out of the house or he was throwing it out. She had paid him first & last months rent totalling $850.00, and he has claimed he's keeping it for storage payment. That's very expensive storage.

So Jackie has decided, let him keep it and I'll keep on walking.

When she told the AA members what had happened, they went into immediate action. Within days they arranged to have two trucks available to pick up her stuff with six men to do the lifting. They have also found her a place to stay where the rent is reasonable, the landlord is an AA member, and will help her get to meetings. She has the run of the house and the use of the barbeque in the backyard.

AA is there for her. It's quite a network of connections. Whatever is needed they go into action. They walk that extra mile for their members.

The support that I have seen go around Jackie is so inspiring to watch. The amount of stress they have removed from her is unbelievable.

Due to AA, Jackie now has a place to live with storage for the things that are important to her.

It's like watching a huge family who love & care for each other and won't let one of their members fall. They become the shoulders for each other to lean on.

And I was blessed by meeting an extraordinary woman. Jackie is so honest with her sharing of her life, what she's been through and she shares from the heart. Her compassion for the next person is mind blowing. She takes what AA gives her and passes it along freely to the next person and I seem to be one standing right behind her.

When I look at Jackie, I see a woman walking with such conviction that I know she'll make it.

As with anything, it's one day at a time, but I see a woman with determination to leave the abusive family behind her and keep going in her own direction. In her own light of love.

Me - I'm so blessed to have known Jackie.

For most, AA would be known as a meeting place for alcoholics or drug addicts.

Not so - it is so much more. It is a huge family, where the only membership fee is a desire of the heart. Because of where they have been, there is so much love, compassion & empathy that pours from their hearts. A family member is a family member and they surround that person with their hearts. No problem seems to be too large.

AA - I have watched super heroes at work.

Jackie - you inpire me in the deepest part of me.

All I had to do was watch you the first time you said "I am a recovering alcoholic in AA." It was said with such honesty and you are always offering to the next person what has been offered to you.

Can anything or anyone break our spirits? Not when we are surrounded by such love and support.

I have watched a woman share herself with such openness & honesty that I can honestly say:

I AM BLESSED.

You walk with a beauty that most people will only be able to glimpse, and sadly, they will never know it for themselves.

Much love & appreciation,
Judy S

http://www.judys.ca/