[Magdalen] Admission

[Ann Markle]

Congratulations, Jim!  You'll find AA a good support for sobriety, and also
another community of support on your journey with Marcy.  What I found
first in AA was hope.  Sitting at the table with you....

Ann

The Rev. Ann Markle
Buffalo, NY
ann.markle at aya.yale.edu
blog:  www.onewildandpreciouslife.typepad.com

On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 1:06 PM, James Handsfield <jhandsfield at att.net>
wrote:

> I attended my first AA meeting Tuesday evening accompanied by John.  It
> was quite eye opening.  I was rather startled by how young some of the
> attendees were - not more than kids.  I was also impressed by the sharing
> and the acceptance.
>
> I didn’t sleep well last night.  I was awake fighting demons, which really
> means I was wrestling with myself.  I finally came to admit that I have a
> problem with alcohol and that I am an alcoholic.
>
> I also wrestled with trying to figure out what is my higher power.  One
> might assume it is God or Jesus or the HS or . . .  But I’ve been living
> with them for years and it didn’t seem to help.  I think, at least for now,
> I have an answer:  community.  It might be the Church community, the
> community I have with Marcy and Matthew, the community I have with John,
> the community I have in Harry, the community I have with the caregivers
> support group at St. Bede’s, etc.  It is the community that will give me
> the structure I need to proceed.
>
> I spoke with John a little bit ago and told him I’m going to try to get to
> a meeting today.  I expect to pick up my white chip.  John’s agreed to be
> my temporary sponsor, and we’ll communicate one way or another every day.
> There are a couple of meetings nearby that will be, at least, less
> inconvenient than some meetings.  But I’ve made it clear to Marcy that this
> will involve some inconvenience for both of us.
>
> Thanks for letting me share.
>
> Thinking one can behave their way into heaven is an insult to the whole
> idea of salvation.
>
> James Handsfield
> jhandsfield at gmail.com
>
>
>
>