barb dwyer

...so right here looks good as anywhere.


Hi everyone -
I had a typical 'barb' day today -
spent it doing something I've never done before..

I spent the day in court.
Not *my* court date ... oh my goodness, no.
I was asked to 'stand up' for someone in the Fellowship who has already been sentenced, and was *supposed* to be taken off to begin their time today.

Yet another unique, and wonderful thing about Butte, Montana.
You can still 'stand up' and speak your peace with the courts.
Wow.
So, along with several other members or our recovery community,
I actually conversed with a judge today.
Just like a Judge Roy Bean movie or something.
Now- THERE's something that doesn't happen every day.
Unless I was married to one, I imagine.
LOL

I had no idea what I was going to say, but I've received several phonecalls tonight -I was apparently on the news, sitting in the gallery. It was coverage of another case, nothing to do with my friend.
Yet another fifteen minutes.


A year ago ... NO ONE would have asked *me* to be in court with them.
For the love of mike....they'd have shot me to have kept me out!
I kept thinking about the Promises.

When I spoke to the 'court', I first made it clear that I was not a representative of the Program of Alcoholics anonymous, nor were any of the opinions representative of the Program, or the organization of Alcoholics Anonymous.
(It's just something I heard on a speaker tape)
To be honest - I don't know exactly *what* I said.
But it had to do with the woman being a product of alcoholism, institutionalization, jail, treatment ... and not until arriving in the recovery community of Butte, Mt has she known any sober time. I only asked that we, as her new sober community and adopted family be granted visitation access for her continued support ... somethiing like that.
I sounded kinda liek William F. Buckley, really. When stuff like that happens, my southern accent comes forth like a gleaming armor or something. I remember the judge, a decent man, I must put in right here .. I remember he chuckled a couple of times.
So at least I wasn't boring.
But I wasn't nervous AT ALL.
I sat during the day, mostly praying, I bet the judge, who I noticed continually looked at me, probably was worried I was sleeping ... that's how much I was praying, y'all.
"please don't let me say anything stupid/ please don't let me say anything stupid'
LOL
Still ... what an honor to be asked, and what a gift of the Infinite to be able to staqnd before an institution representative of the People of the State, and clearly say what I felt and believed about someone.
I'm not doing very good at expressing what the whole thing felt like.
But it was a rush.

Then -
I went home and fell into bed like I'd been shot with a dart gun.
LOL
Had the neighbor I went to court with not set off her fire alarm cooking dinner for everyone ...
I'd still be home asleep right now!

What a fascinating day.
And I didn't drink.
I didn't use.
Today- I had no enemies, and needed to hide from no one.

And I was shown in a way that I cannot deny -
the reputation I had lost because of my out of control alcoholism only ONE YEAR ago yesterday ....
... Has been restored to me.
Has been gifted back to me.

What a miraculous day.

And I wasn't even late for work.

The Program of Alcoholics Anonymous ... works.
I am the living, breathing, talking, typing proof.

I post this to show newcomers, and lurkers ...even the 'nay' sayers... that this ... is How It Works. This ... is how we take Sobriety ... Into Action. This ... is what can happen and so much more, when we become willing to do whatever it takes. And when we place our will, and our lives, into the care o9f the God of our Understanding.

Thank you for reading this post.
You were each a part in it.

I'm sorry I don't know how to tell a short story.

barb dwyer

Oh!

He decided good things - some surprising. But she still has to do the treatment - but he's going to talk to the admin of the cneter, to inquire on our being able to visit. So we had to sign a statement that we wanted to be able to visit. It had to include swearing we really had the time we said - State requires a year continual sobriety in order to interact with the prison system.

I made it by ONE freaking day.

Whatever the hell that means.
I think it means we're gonna be able to go visit her.

way kewl!

can't beat HP for kewl!

rach28

u sound a good friend to have, xx

stone

That IS cool! I wanna see the footage!

findingout

Thanks Barb. That was an inspiring story.

barb dwyer

I'm sorry it was so long - dang.

Tazman53

Barb my dear, you are one of the many miracles I see in the rooms of AA!!!

Hon not only do you talk the talk of the 12 steps of AA, you walk the walk of the steps and emit the miraculous glow of the promises of AA!

You are a demonstration of what an active alcoholic can have if they are willing to be totally honest and go to any length to get and stay sober.

barb dwyer

back at ya, Tazzums