Have to keep this in the fore front of mind.

Too true. One advantage of sticking around in AA is that it's not a chore, it a pleasure and at nearly 12 years sober, I am so passionate and excited by AA. I have other illnesses and my psychiatrist, psychologist, GP, specialists, whomever, look at me quizzically when I talk about this because they think, well, she's sober, she's well spoken, she doesn't have any of the alcohol related illnesses (except physical scars from the top of my head to the tip of my toes), so why does she bang on about AA so much and for some of them, they ask why are you even still going there and being so passionate about the 12 steps and the program and the rag tag bunch of we alki's we are?

So, I just plug away and reiterate that my Dad was one of 8, of whom 7 drank themselves to death and the single one who wasn't an alki was a prescription drug addict. And Dad's Dad drank himself to death too. And there are many alki's on Mum's side too - both living and dead. Holy Cow, do I need to draw a freakin' diagram?? Alcoholism kills and it's in plague proportions in my family.

The vey REASON they see this sober, well spoken, clean, dignified woman in front of them is BECAUSE I continue to work a daily program and will continue to do so for the rest of my little life -One Day at a Time.

Thanks, Wendy, for mentioning your excitement about sobriety and AA. My sentiments exactly. There is so much to read, hear, learn and work on. Some days are better than others, but I try to stay as spiritually fit as is possible, and sometimes that's just by keeping my mouth shut when I don't want to. :-)

It's a lifetime deal and that's okay with me. Just one day at a time.