Over the years, I had been forced by the court system to attend AA meetings due to my numerous DUI's. There was even a period of two years that I was clean and sober, but the program never really "took." Years passed.
I had reached a point when I felt totally beaten (this had happened in the past, too), but I knew I couldn't go on as always. I finally asked a man whom I didn't particularly like, because he was too religious and outspoken, to be my sponsor. I thought I needed someone who was tough and could combat my over-intellectualism. He initially said no, but a few days later relented.
He acted as a teacher, with me as his pupil, and many times I chafed at that, but things progressed. One evening when he dropped me off after a meeting, in appreciation for his help, I said, "Ah, my sponsor." He took this totally wrong. He thought I was speaking ironically and became very mad. Later that night he called to say he was no longer my sponsor. I was crushed at being so totally misunderstood.
It then struck me that my sobriety fundamentally boiled down to me and my relationship with a higher power. I didn't like the thought, but felt I had to accept it. I then walked out my bedroom door onto the roof of the garage which served as a patio. I looked up and immediately saw a blazing meteor shoot from roughly south to north. I gave this a special meaning, though some may have scoffed since the Perseid meteor shower was to reach its height the next two days.
I did watch the show those nights and it confirmed what I already knew. The Perseids travel from roughly north and head roughly south. Not one that I saw, followed the previous path. It's been twelve years since then and my sponsor is still my sponsor (despite that misunderstanding) and I have not felt compelled to pick up a drink since.
My brother, on the other hand, never learned and never got around the corner. He died of his alcoholism, leaving a trail of death and destruction behind him.
Because of my family experiences, I have deep respect for what you have done, and how difficult it was to do.
Happy Thanksgiving,
John / Billybob