Friday, September 18, 2009

Riding the bus

Photo of bus on street
My daughter is in that wonderful place where she is having spiritual experiences wherever she goes. She has plenty on the public transportation system. Tonight on her way over here she had another.

She saw a young man who looked like he was about to cry. He asked her a question about directions - he was new to town, having recently arrived from San Francisco, and he said he hated it here. She tried to reassure him that he would get used to it here. He wasn't so sure. She told him that she had also needed to leave everything behind and start anew so that she could get sober - he lit up and said "me too!" He was sober 64 days. She suggested some good groups for him to attend and told him to hang out until he felt comfortable and told him he wasn't going to feel comfortable until he did, they talked for a while....

Just then the bus driver asked her to come forward. She thought "uh oh - I am in trouble. I have been using the "f" word and probably talking too loud." But the bus driver wanted to thank her and tell her she had a real talent and that she ought to be a counselor! We both had a good laugh over that one! If people only knew what we do in Alcoholics Anonymous!

We're not counselors, we're just fellow travelers on the bus. Travelers who have been there, so we know what we are talking about and we can speak from first hand experience. And when we are through, we don't send someone a bill, try to sell them a book, or make an effort to impress anyone with our credentials. We just honestly hope that something we said might help.

The way something someone else said helped us...

Thank God.

13 comments:

Scott W said...

What if God were one of us, just a stranger on the bus...

I love that song and I love that story.

Ed G. said...

I love just being a bozo on the bus - it's the best it gets for me...

Blessings and aloha to you and yours...

Kathy Lynne said...

awesome!

dAAve said...

Of course, that is a wonderful story and experience.

For some reason, it's almost like an episode of The Twilight Zone.

Lou said...

Like Scott, I'm reminded of the song "What if Jesus Came Back Like That" by Colin Raye.

This was the first post I read this morning, what a delight!

Pammie said...

The mystical formula-one alcoholic talking to another. Isn't it amazing????

Syd said...

I like the phrase that we're all bozos on this bus! I really feel that most days. Good for your daughter.

Anonymous said...

Great post Mary!

brandi said...

Hello. Really like your posts. They're interesting and uplifting.

Anonymous :) said...

Sober alcoholics are walking miracles. Lovely story.

diane d said...

That is soooo awesome!!!

Carol said...

So cool when we are awake for these happenings.

MLG said...

The program has taught me that God shows up in human form all of the time, we just have to slow down and pay attention. Thanks for reminding me to do just that.