Today (April 30th) was my 14 year AA anniversary. 14 years sober.
And I couldn't have done it without help. It took me awhile, but I learned from others what to do, particularly from my awesome AA sponsor. She passed away 4 years ago and I still miss her, but she still inspires me. And now it's my turn to pay it forward. 
I received one of these today. I kind of hate to give up lucky 13, but I carry my coin with me as a reminder of where I've been and how far I still have to go. And if I can do it, anyone can. 
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So many of the groups shut down during the pandemic, including every group I regularly attended, but I was invited to join a group that is a bit north of me that has 3 meetings a week. Attendance at those groups has dropped off, too, and so many who I meet now are beginners. Tonight I sat between a woman whose sobriety date is July 4th 1976 and a guy who hopes to make his year May 19th. 
Thanks so much for sharing, I tried everything, but AA was the one thing that finally worked for me - as long as I keep coming back.
I was not ready to quit then. I was 52 when I sobered up..........and I really didn't want to. But the past almost 26 years have proven to me that there was and is a much better life out there sober. One day at a time!
I got incredibly sick, about the worst I've ever felt, and I never wanted to feel so horrible again. But as the years went by, I forgot and obviously thought I could drink again. But I was so wrong. As has been said so many times, it doesn't matter how long it had been, I started exactly where I'd left off. My doctor sent me to detox, and I felt fine when I came out, but I hadn't learned anything - so my dear friend (who also joined this board) took me to my first AA meeting.
I did have the gift of desperation, so I kept coming back and I was lucky to meet the woman who became my sponsor at my second meeting. That was November 2008, so it took me awhile, guess I'm a slow learner, so I keep coming back so I won't forget again. And tomorrow I'll be leading a Big Book meeting for whoever wants to show up. Most of the members are under a year - except one long timer with 29, and I've also learned that every single person has something to offer and I can learn from anyone.
I actually hate celebrating, I don't mind speaking or leading a meeting, but I'm not comfortable making it all about me. So I really like this new group I joined when everything else shut down since it's a literature meeting and they just acknowledge anniversaries at the end. So what happened tonight? The guy who leads the meeting said we'd skip the literature tonight since it was my anniversary and I had to speak. I can't remember what I said, told a bit of my story and they gave me a coin so I guess I did okay. 
Congratulations! That's a seriously impressive achievement, my friend!
One day at a time. That's how they built the Pyramids of Egypt, too.
When I first started going to meetings I'd see someone get a six month coin or whatever and I knew I could never do that. But I kept coming back and now that's my job - I'm responsible for the coins and love giving them out - so it felt weird that tonight they had a coin for me.
(oh: and i always love and appreciate your posts!)
Sometimes I have trouble believing it since in the beginning I figured I would never get it. But tonight I saw between a woman with 46 years - who still keeps coming back - and a guy who hopes to have a year next month. And I can learn from both of them.
And so I've switched addictions, LOL. I also keep coming back to DU - since I never paid close attention to the news until 9/11 woke me up (I'm in New York) and I don't want to miss anything again! 
But I also share a sobriety date (April 30th) with a gentleman whose year is 1976! So I have something to aspire to.
And the best part is "paying it forward" because that not only reinforces your own successful journey but brings someone else along to find their way with your help!!!
Keep thriving and seeing the side of life we all aspire to - experiencing all the wonder, joy & beauty life has to offer! 😎🌞
That we're grateful for the spread of AA so we don't have to travel all the way to Akron just to find a meeting!
That's wonderful! Keep on keeping on.
Sista!
Celebrating with you! 
Even these days, it's sometimes One Day at a Time, but I get my strength from those who came before me - and after me. I learn from them.
But I was lucky that my sponsor found me at my second meeting and told me what to do - and she was patient with me!
At my second meeting a woman who I now know got sober in 1974 told me "to take the cotton out of my ears and stick it in my mouth." After that, I thought of not going back, but the woman who became my sponsor said I didn't need to hear that and encouraged me instead. I don't know where I'd be without her!
