I can't speak for anyone else, but I think at least a few of us have our 'Heroes' in A.A.
What is an 'A.A. Hero'? Another member who we really relate to.
Perhaps my favorite 'Hero' was Bob Earll. Bob would often begin a talk with the following words as he stood at the speakers podium: "I wonder what I am going to say?"
Then he would fuss and fidget with the podium and then begin to share his experience, strength and hope.
Back in December of 2018, I was, by invitation, speaking at a number of A.A. meetings in the town of Kyzyl, located in the Republic of Tuva, in Russia Siberia.
I had been speaking at typical local A.A. meetings located in various rooms, treatment centers, jails, churches and other institutions including some public meetings.
On this day I had been asked to speak at the main Kyzyl Hospital.
No big deal! Correct? I've been here and I've done this.
I thought, I assumed, that I would be speaking at a hospital based treatment center for alcoholics or perhaps a local A.A. meeting located in the hospital.
Mike, my translator, and I began by being escorted from the main entrance into the suite of the hospital chief executive (CEO). There I was hailed as a 'hero' by the CEO. Photos of us together were taken. I noticed a wall full of photos of various people with the CEO so I figured this was his routine.
So far, so good.
Then this small entourage (a group of people attending or surrounding an important person) of us proceeded to a room where hospital staff members were entering along with us.
Mike, myself, and the CEO, took our place on an elevated stage as the room continued to fill up with attendees.
Suddenly it occurred to me!
"Oh No! This is not an A.A. Meeting. These are doctors and other medical personnel. What on earth am I going to say!"
And Bob Earll came to mind!
Finally, the room filled, everyone got silent and settled, and I was introduced to the audience (all in the Russian language).
And I was (trust me!) intensely thinking.. "What on earth am I going to say!"
Mike said, time to speak!
As I slowly, and deliberately, stood up, I was still thinking.. "What on earth am I going to say!"
After coming to full attention, I stood silently for maybe ten seconds, looking out at my audience and the following words came out of my mouth..
"I have bad news for you this afternoon! You think that I have answers to the problem of alcoholism. I am sorry, neither myself nor anyone else has the answers as to what causes alcoholism, how to cure it, and how to deal with it!"
"I am a member of a program called Alcoholics Anonymous or A.A. IF someone wants to stop drinking alcohol, then perhaps we in A.A. can assist them to become sober."
I then talked for ninety (90) full minutes.
Below is a photo that I snapped.
When I give a talk such as this, I stress to my audience: "If you have any questions, please interrupt me at any time, because you will forget your questions by the time I finish my talk."
In my humble opinion, based upon the barrage of questions that I received during and after my talk, it was well received.
A very interesting share, Cap! You carry a strong spiritual message to those in need and knowing the alcohol consumption and addiction (and life changing/threatening) that is so pervasive in this part of the world your gift to the people here seems like it was more than coincidence. Rather as you tell your story it felt to me that your presence was divinely inspired. I can almost swear that all who came to listen walked away with the simple kit of spiritual tools to help not just themselves but to their entire families and citizens. And the idea that if, in our sharing of our Experience, Strength and Hope, we help only one person in the audience then our responsibility and purpose has been accomplished. I humbly believe in this divinely inspired moment many felt and heard your journey. They too, perhaps, now have the message of hope, light and love to carry to their loved ones. Good job, my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Michael
Thanks so very much Michael for your amazing comment.
DeleteTo quote a favorite set of words Michael: Something IS happening here! Looking back in time, it seems perfectly clear!
If the many of those in attendance asked one of these following questions, all who didn't ask it got the same answer. What can I do to help or to change my mother, my father, my husband, my wife, my son, my daughter, my cousins, my friends who are dying from alcoholism?
My reply: Nothing! You can do nothing at all to change or to help any other person UNLESS they themselves want help, and are willing to admit, they have a problem with alcohol and want to change. Then we in A.A. have a program that may assist them to change their lives.
And still other attendees would repeat this line of questions.
During my 90 minutes, I discussed, in detail, our 12 step program from Step 1 through to Step 12. And of course got a lot of questions as I went through the steps. In 9 months of speaking in Russian Siberia, not even one time, was the word God an issue.
An honor. A privilege. A phenomenal experience.
I love that you were able to carry on in spite of the surprise. And like you, every time I speak, I wing it. I don't know what's going to come out of my mouth but I share my experience strength and hope. That's all I have.
ReplyDeleteThank You Kathleen for your comment. It was quite an experience to stand up, look out at the audience, and still not know what I was going to say! Then what I said (I have bad news for you!) surprised me who just said it. What an adventure!
DeleteGod Bless You and Patti for sharing of your Experience, Strength & Hope with us.. Your travels are a God Send, Cap. Thank you Patti for taking care of him all these blessed years.!
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much Tim for taking the time to read this Post and then to leave such a positive comment. It truly was quite an adventure.
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