IF THE ONLY PRAYER YOU SAID IN YOUR LIFE WAS "THANK YOU", THAT WOULD SUFFICE. ~Meister Eckhart

Saturday, June 20, 2009

06.20.09

You have received so much from this program that you should have a vision that gives your life a direction and a purpose that gives meaning to each new day. Let us not slide along through life. Let us have a purpose for each day and let us make that purpose for something greater than just ourselves. ~Bill W
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Today I am grateful...
  • that I was awake enough this morning to hear the sizzling sound of coffee hitting the hot plate on the coffee maker. Something caused the drip part to stop dripping and instead it started seeping over the edge of the basket. I stopped it immediately, but it was still a mess. Coffee grounds have to be one of the messiest things to clean up.
  • to have known Bill R. He was one of the founders of the Lambda Center here--the first LGBT recovery meeting club houses. He struggled off and on for over 35 years to stay sober. He lived in the complex where J and R live, where I have spent many hours. He was a talented musician. He got sober the last time about four years ago, but stopped going to meetings because he didn't want to face his character defects. That's not heresay, he told me that. When we returned from dinner last night the street was littered with emergency vehicles. A neighbor had found Bill dead, fully clothed, lying on the floor of his living room. His rescue dog, Lady, at his side. He saved that sweet pup from her misery of abuse--she became a dog that loved life and became totally unafraid at the hands of her master, Bill. I know she was healing for him, too. Bill was a devout atheist and had trouble with the God thing in AA. He always seemed sad to me. Now I know he is past his sadness and perhaps is smiling now, knowing and being in his truth on the other side. God speed, Bill. Yesterday was Juneteenth and was Bill's sobriety date.
  • that with Bill's passing comes a recognition that I am on the path I am supposed to be traveling
  • that things are good in God's economy (I love that expression!)

You are asking yourself, as all of us must: 'Who am I?' ... 'Where am I?' ... 'Whence do I go?' The process of enlightenment is usually slow. But, in the end, our seeking always brings a finding. These great mysteries are, after all, enshrined in complete simplicity. The willingness to grow is the essence of all spiritual development. ~Bill W

13 comments:

Bill said...

The Mystery has been solved for Bill. He sounds like a good-hearted man.

Pammie said...

That was a very nice tribute.

Trailboss said...

I am glad you knew and loved him. Very symbolic to have died on his AA b-day. What will happen to Lucy?

Scott W said...

Lucy and Bill's ex-sponsor's dog, Sergio, are with the women Bill was close to. They have two small dogs. Lucy will have a great home wherever she ends up.

Anonymous said...

what a nice write-up about a friend of the program

Tall Kay said...

Just came from a Step 2 meeting. Why do we have to try to make it so much more complicated than it has to be? The message I heard today was willingness. It is my defiance that holds me back.

'..enshrined in complete simplicity'. I will pray for Bill R. and for all whom he touched with the witnessing of his struggles. He had fulfilled his purpose.

Very touching tribute.

Lou said...

I like that you can have compassion and understanding for those that don't make it in this program. You can recognize it for the struggle that it is, and know that not everyone will make it.

Zanejabbers said...

Kinder words were never said. I did not know he was one of the founders. The last time we talked was at Norris's 70th Bday party. Bill stated he would be back to meetings when religion was taken out of AA.

Scott W said...

I was told today he wasn't one of the founders, but he was the one that started the Wednesday noon meeting. He was around way back then.

Syd said...

Scott, this was a sad post. I am glad too that you made a tribute to Bill R. I hope that Lady will be cared for. And I hope that Bill is at peace.

Ed G. said...

Sorry for your and our loss...

Would that we could all simply recover from this, the most treatable fatal disease on the planet.

Blessings...

Di-Git said...

Sorry to hear of your friends passing

Anonymous said...

two days in a row i've had that problem with our coffee maker. haven't figured out what's wrong yet.

that's a lovely post about your friend, sorry for the loss but i too think he's probably all better now.