Page 211 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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196 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Then I recalled a book given to me by my sister
Jean about drunks as desperate as I was who had
found a way to stop drinking. According to this book,
these drunks had found a way to live like other human
beings: to get up in the morning, go to work, and re­
turn home in the evening. This book was about
Alcoholics Anonymous.
I decided to get in touch with them. I had much
difficulty in reaching A.A. in New York, as A.A. wasn’t
as well-known then. I finally spoke to a woman,
Bobbie, who said words I hope I never forget: “I am
an alcoholic. We have recovered. If you want, we’ll
help you.” She told me about herself and added that
many other drunks had used this method to stop
drinking. What impressed me most in this conversa­
tion was the fact that these people, five hundred miles
away, cared enough to try to help me. Here I was,
feeling so sorry for myself, convinced that no one
cared whether I was dead or alive.
I was very surprised when I got a copy of the Big
Book in the mail the following day. And each day after
that, for nearly a year, I got a letter or a note, some­
thing from Bobbie or from Bill or one of the other
members of the central office in New York. In
October 1944, Bobbie wrote: “You sound very sincere
and from now on we will be counting on you to per­
petuate the Fellowship of A.A. where you are. You will
find enclosed some queries from alcoholics. We think
you are now ready to take on this responsibility.” She
had enclosed some four hundred letters that I an­
swered in the course of the following weeks. Soon, I
began to get answers back.
In my new enthusiasm, and having found an answer