Saturday, October 14, 2006

New York City, 1989

When I saw a map of Manhattan in the newspaper earlier this week - pointing out where a plane had crashed into a building- I was reminded of this map. It has been kept safely in my big book since 1989, because it is a momento of a powerful experience I had.

I was sober 5 years, was going through a terrible time, and had gone to stay at my sister's house in the Hamptons for the summer. I found a morning meeting there and night meetings there, and after a month or so, got to know some fellow sober alcoholics out there.

At the end of the summer, it was time for me to come back to Denver. I stayed a day or two at my sister's apartment in the city first. On my last day there, my niece (she is now 10 years sober, but was just 18 at the time) and I took the subway to do some shopping. After we were done, I realized that she was not going back to the apartment with me. I absolutely panicked! Holy Cow! How was I going to get around New York City all by myself? None of it made any sense to me, and it was so fast paced and frightening to me! My niece drew me the above map and told me which bus to get on and where to get off, etc. After she left, I stood for a long time at the wrong bus stop, and finally realized it and went to another bus stop. By the time the right bus got there, I was really panic stricken.

I got on the bus, and heard someone say "Hi Mary". I looked around and it was someone I knew from AA in East Hampton. Oh my Goodness! What on earth were the odds that I would run into someone I knew on a bus in Manhattan? I went and sat with him, and he not only showed me where to get off the bus, but got off with me, and walked me to my sister's building.

I don't know when I have ever been so profoundly grateful for the Grace of a loving God and the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous! I considered that a miracle that day, and I still do today. All of my needs are always met. I just need to always remember that.

Of course, I could go on and on with story, after story, after story... but I would sound like a boring old woman, so I will stop. Thanks for listening to this one.

"Some day we hope that every alcoholic who journeys will find a Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous at his destination." -- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 162

18 comments:

dAAve said...

Putting days together in sobriety is good for the following reasons ...

1) I know, from experience, that This Too Shall Pass
2) my mental and emotional health
3) my physical health
4) great stories like the one you just wrote about

Anonymous said...

boring old woman?!..
I don't think so.

I LOVE this post MC.
It is a profound example
of how our needs truly do
get met...

Thank you for sharing a very
cool story ..you made my morning:)

Anonymous said...

You are NOT boring and I really love hearing your stories. This is a story that helps invite this magical spirit into your life, into my life.

More plz.

Amerynthe said...

Just like you needed the map your niece drew those many years ago, so we all need a map to show us where we are going. You've found your path through AA, and, along the way, you're drawing a route for others by sharing your experiences and your memories. Thank you.

Carly said...

An AA friend of mine calls God "Captain Coincidence." Thanks for sharing one of your experiences.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
lash505 said...

That is a trip finding that map.

Pam Jarnagin said...

Exactly what Tab said.

If you have more stories like this, I really, really hope you will write a book. Talk about your everyday miracles!

Unknown said...

there are no coincidenced...only Godincidences. Beautiful stuff.

Trudging said...

You have a sister with a house in the Hamptons, wow!

Oh and by the way, nothing happens in God's world by accident. (-:

Recovery Road London said...

No way boring. No way. I loved that post and I love the stories of how our HPs deliver what we need when we need it even if we don't realise what's really going on.

The map rocks.

:-)

Scott M. Frey said...

I'll tell you what my friend, you are a lot of things but you're not old,a nd you're certainly not boirng! I love the story, nothing like a lil HP intervention... how awesome is that? Thanks for sharing it! I for one, love your stories!

Scott W said...

"All of my needs are always met." This is one of the most profound things AA has ever taught me. It allowed me to develop the trust I needed to have this wonderful life.

I love that quote too. I do not remember reading it, although I have read those pages several times.

Anonymous said...

Wow, what an amazing story! God really took care of you. Thank you for sharing this!

Anonymous said...

Mary Christine, you're not boring, and I don't think you're old, either.

Willa

jake said...

Great story...I relate....God is always there and he sends his Angels just when we need them the most....

Mike said...

Cool stuff.

Mike

Alcoholic Brain said...

Far from boring MC! What a great story! What a cool program and a wonderful gift!