I’m grateful for Bill Wilson, the Big Book and Alcoholics Anonymous. I’m grateful for getting closer to the life I was meant to lead. I’m grateful for turning out a pretty tasty pumpkin pie. I’m grateful for getting to watch the sun come up so many mornings. I’m grateful to be sober today.
Click on the pictures to read this on the website!
Happy Bill Wilson’s Birthday! Bill W. was born on this date in 1895, got sober on December 11, 1934 and published the Big Book in 1939. If you’ve been around here for a bit1 you know I’m kind of a big fan. Here’s why: I spent about 30 years drinking myself to a pretty tough spot, then I spent another ten years trying to get sober, and got myself to an even tougher spot. I read the Big Book throughout those ten years, but until I was able to embrace the idea that Bill W’s story could be my story, I couldn’t get sober. Here, let me say that in the affirmative:
I got sober when I realized that Bill W’s story could be my story.
That’s all it took for me to make my beginning. The more I read about Bill and learn about his life, the more implausible he seems and the more powerful his story becomes to me. Anyway, it’s Saturday, and I’ve kind of made a pledge that this would be mostly a gratitude round-up, but for those who are interested in reading more about Bill, here are my favorites:
Chapter 1, “My Story,” The Big Book (1939)
My Name is Bill, Susan Cheever (2004)
Bill W., Frances Hartigan (2000)
Bill W., Robert Thomsen (1975)
And, without further ado or delay, this is the Saturday Gratitude Round-Up:
Breakfast with an Alcoholic: Episode 27 Big Book Study Group: Part I of "Bill's Story" Jane, Daniel and I read Chapter 1 of the Big Book
Daily Gratitude List 11.20.22 Airport Edition
Daily Gratitude List 11.21.22 Sober Girls Edition
Daily Gratitude List 11.22.22 Happy Birthday, Dad
Daily Gratitude List 11.23.22 Serenity Now
Growing Pains: Sober Girls Edition One Year Ago Today
Daily Gratitude List 11.24.22 Happy Thanksgiving Edition
Daily Gratitude List 11.25.22 Thanksgiving Recipes
There it is, Thanksgiving Week gratitude punctuated with Bill W’s birthday!
Thanks for Letting Me Share
Is it quaint that I think of this as a “place,” or antiquated?