So Many Gems

I just came from my Friday noon OA meeting. There were four of us and we read the daily page from Voices of Recovery. I felt satisfied and contented in my skin. I ate a wonderful lunch and am now writing to Lifeline, my favorite recovery magazine and my longtime companion on this abstinent road.

I don’t remember when I first subscribed, but I’ve been coming to OA for forty-one years, and next week I will celebrate forty years of abstinence. It’s hard to think of a time when I didn’t have Lifeline. I’m sure there were lapses in my subscription, but I soon rallied and forked over the sixteen, twenty-three, or thirty dollars. I mean, how much did I spend on binge foods when I was in the disease?

I’ve carried the magazine in my backpack, given it to friends, left it on the lobby table in my apartment building (it has always disappeared), and traveled with it. I’ve had the pleasure of writing for Lifeline many times and experienced the joy when my article was published.

There have been so many gems written. Occasionally, I’ve cut out an article and carried it in my wallet. I’ve always liked lists, and the ones about “ten things to do to ensure an abstinent holiday”—that kind of thing—were so helpful.

I will miss you, Lifeline, and I send the wonderful Lifeline staff my gratitude for your diligent, hard work. You’ve been so kind and supportive. I wish you all well.

— Helen