Page 208 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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GRATITUDE IN ACTION

The story of Dave B., one of the founders of A.A. in
Canada in 1944.

believe it would be good to tell the story of my
I life. Doing so will give me the opportunity to re­
member that I must be grateful to God and to those
members of Alcoholics Anonymous who knew A.A.
before me. Telling my story reminds me that I could
go back to where I was if I forget the wonderful things
that have been given to me or forget that God is the
guide who keeps me on this path.
In June 1924, I was sixteen years old and had just
graduated from high school in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Some of my friends suggested that we go for a beer. I
had never had beer or any other form of alcohol. I
don’t know why, since we always had alcohol at home
(I should add that no one in my family was ever con­
sidered an alcoholic). Well, I was afraid my friends
wouldn’t like me if I didn’t do as they did. I knew
firsthand that mysterious state of people who appear
to be sure of themselves but are actually eaten alive
with fear inside. I had a rather strong inferiority com­
plex. I believe I lacked what my father used to call
“character.” So on that nice summer day in an old inn
in Sherbrooke, I didn’t find the courage to say no.
I became an active alcoholic from that first day,
when alcohol produced a very special effect in me. I
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