I love the history of AA.
Unfortunately I did not find recovery soon enough to have met Bill W. but I did
get to meet Lois several times, thanks to Chuck C (A New Pair Of Glasses) and
was fortunate enough to have him in my life for the first 3 1/2 years of my
sobriety.
Having found my sobriety in the San Fernando Valley in California, which had and
in some respects still has a very very strong Big Book recovery, I was fortunate
to be able to meet not only some that got sober in those early years, but several
that had been part of the first '100' or so. Several of those folks were more than
willing to talk about their early days including the fact that there were some real
'knock down drag out fights' over what was to be put into the Big Book.
I do believe that hearing about the history, their history, how meetings came to
be, Sybil, the first woman alcoholic to get sober in Los Angeles, was very import-
ant to my recovery. It seemed to make recovery 'more real' to me somehow.
Alabam C. WOW the first time I heard her share, she was telling my story. I so
identified with her. Not only did I go up and thank her afterwards, but about 2
weeks later, she was at the saturday afternoon book study my sponsor held in
her home.
I am glad you started this thread, because I do believe that the History of
Alcoholics Anonymous is VERY IMPORTANT and some of us just have to keep it
alive for those coming after us.
Something sure is working, AA is alive and going strong 77 1/2 years after its
conception. I believe it was a tad earlier but somehow the date of June 10,
1935 is the one that has prevailed.
Thank you for starting this thread, I am very interested to see how others feel
about our history.
Love and hugs,