You Cant Make This Stuff Up

I e-mailed to say hey, I'm just a drunk, in town for the night
Point the way to an evening of spirituality and fellowship
I got an e-mail back
from a complete stranger
who knows EXACTLY who I am
she came to my hotel - picked me up
we chatted in the car about
sobriety, the spirit, failure, success, gratitude
I walked into a room filled with slogans and literature
and 12 and 12 on the wall
In CHINESE
I wanted to steal them to take home with me
but that wouldnt have been very sober behavior :)
The meeting space is a full time one
housed in a government building
The Chinese govt charges this group of drunks the exact sum of
$1 - PER YEAR
Yes, you read that right

The accents were different
there were a few other Americans
An Aussie and a Kiwi (New Zealander)
And of course - several Brits
I was the lone New Yorker
The format was a little different
but the program is the same
sharing of experience, strength and hope
reaching out to the newcomer
I shared...
I needed to...
Sitting there, when the meeting first started
I felt overcome by emotion
Tears came down for a moment
as I realized
We are everywhere
This hand lives in all the world
I can never have an excuse to ever take another drink
because no matter what state, what country, what part of the world I may be in
I am responsible
The hand of AA IS always there
and for that
We are ALL responsible