I celebrated 38 years of sobriety on April 24th. It was tough, because we had an AA funeral the day before. The fellow was a dear friend, who suffered from dementia towards the end of his life. He turned 44 just before he died, and his wife put his coin in his hand. She said his face lit up, as though he remembered somewhere in his mind, about AA.
The service was packed with old timers, some of whom don’t attend meetings anymore. I made a pact with my sponsor when we were around 5 years sober, to never stop attending. I get so much joy at meetings, watching newcomers discover the gifts of sobriety.
I believe that I must share my experience, strength and hope with other alcoholics. Thus, the Responsibility Statement is important to me.
“I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.”