MIDWEEK MESSAGE – June 5, 2024

I was fortunate to go to Stepping Stones this past weekend for a picnic.  It was the home of Bill (AA co-founder) and Lois Wilson (founder of Ala-Anon).  The place is situated in New York state on a beautiful 8 acres.  Not only could I attend, but I got to be one of the volunteers for this event, which hundreds of people attended in person and on Zoom. 

Whenever I get to do service, it is a blessing. Additionally,  the weather was perfect, and there was food, music, and amazing speakers.  As we pulled into Stepping Stones, tears came to my eyes.  The last time I was there was 32 years ago, with Christoper as one of our honeymoon road trip stops. 

The tears soon subsided as I was overwhelmed with gratitude for having had that experience with him and for sharing our 30-plus years together. I was also grateful that living in the New York metropolitan area allowed me to partake in such an event.

Tears flowed again when I listened to one of the speakers whose story was very similar to mine. But again, the tears were transformed by a rush of gratitude that I was blessed with all that I have been given as a result of receiving the grace of a life that has been more than I ever could have conceived 34 years ago (as of yesterday!)

I don’t know why I am one of the blessed individuals who has been given a chance to a life that is so much more than freedom from addiction. It is a life of endearing relationships with many fabulous people,  adventures beyond my imagination, a wonderful marriage to a person who was a partner and friend for 32 years of the 34, and a relationship with a Higher Power that never ceases to amaze me. 

As a result of all the blessings I have received, I hope I will always be able to see the blessings in whatever life gives me and never stop being grateful for my life to the core of my being.

Quote of the Week

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Melody Beattie