It was time for the Spring Fling Conference in St Louis, Missouri. It was their first conference and the year was 2009. As we traveled south from Chicago, we traveled the infamous Route 66.
I had traveled this highway in 1971. I was a 16-year-old high school drop out. At the time I felt bored (restless, irritable and discontent). I know now that is a luxury an alcoholic should find a solution for. Geographical changes don’t change anything but the scenery, i’m still there and still the problem. Horace Greely once said, “head west, young man “. That is what my friend and I did. Hitchhiking to unknown destinations with $50. Between us, we were off, heading for adventure.
This adventure in 2009 was an opportunity to spend time with my tribe (the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous). There would be time to listen to them share their stories of experience, strength and hope. It was also our chance to introduce MilestoneCoins to new customers. It was amazing to help the first Spring Fling Conference get into full swing. This year was their ninth event.
St Louis has a rich history of AA. The Alcoholics Anonymous World Conference was held there in 1955. That is when AA came of age. That is when the General Service had survived its trial period of the 5-year introductory period and was accepted into practice at the conference. Latter Bill W. was to say, that no longer would he be in charge of AA but also that AA had a better chance of survival now that he was just one of the many. One of the many who call themselves members of AA.
That year they also adopted a new symbol to recognize. It was our circle and triangle. The circle represents the whole of AA while the triangle represents the 3 legacies of Recovery, Unity and Service. The same symbol was used earlier by others to represent Mind, Body and Spirit, with the circle keeping out evil forces.
In 1966 Alcoholics Anonymous they were no longer going to fight legal battles over a patent (never applied for) on our symbol of circle and triangle. It had been decided that AA would no longer consider making coins to celebrate sobriety. They would allow outside interest to manufacture commemorative coins. That AA will focus on their singleness of purpose. To Stay Sober and Help Other Alcoholics to Achieve Sobriety.
At the Spring Fling, I was honored to meet thousands of people. All recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. A common Illness of physical craving and mental obsession. One such person I met was Sis. She was celebrating 55 years of continuous sobriety. It was a privilege to honor Sis with a 1954 MilestoneCoins. Cut from a silver Franklin half dollar. Designed with the circle and triangle and the words IN GOD WE TRUST. Sis was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.
On Saturday night, when most were at the Speaker Banquet, I took time to relax after a very busy day of sales. A man introducing himself as John entered our salesroom. He wanted to purchase a medallion for a friend he had helped find sobriety the previous year. He selected a Kennedy half dollar from 2008 with the circle and triangle, with a cross-cut into the middle of the triangle.
John also went on to share an incredible experience. John had received a phone call from his friend Sue. She was trying to stay sober but found herself at a bar with a drink in front of her. She was there with her new-found friend in AA. Her friend Alice had already started drinking and was on her way to intoxication. John asked Sue if she could delay having her drink until he arrived, she agreed. Once there, John and Sue discussed the pros and cons of her taking that drink. Alice now intoxicated kept throwing her 2 cents in. Jim the bartender had become aware of the situation and shared his concern. Telling Sue that he often found that Sue drank beyond ladylike, and she should listen to John’s advice of going to bed sober today and dealing with tomorrow, tomorrow.
As John continued to tell of the experience, I became totally intrigued. What happened next can only be described as a SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE. He felt as though he had been lifted into a white cloudy place, with a man in a white rope, with long white hair and a long white beard. I could hardly believe my ears. Much like Bill W. John had been rocketed into another dimension. What he heard, without seeing a face or lips move, was this, YOU NOW SEE THAT I DO EXIST. YOU NEVER HAVE TO DOUBT THAT AGAIN. THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE OK. THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR, EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE. THAT MORE WILL BE REVEALED LATER.
Next John found himself standing back in front of the other 3 wondering what just happened. What he discovered was that the other 3 had the exact same experience. All four had shared the exact same SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE. All had a vision, all would have their lives changed forever.
The reason I share this story is I have no doubt it happened. I will share my identical experience in another blog. This story was originally published in the online recovery magazine Sexy and Sober. I am convinced John’s path and mine will cross again.
If you would like to have your experience shared, please do so here. Thank you for reading Richard Thomas MileStoneCoins.
P.S. If you ever plan to motor, travel my way, take the highway that is the best. Get your kicks on Route 66.
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