person to go up and speak. This woman had just celebrated an anniversary and she made a few announcements herself. The man then introduced the sponsor of the two men who were going to speak that night. The sponsor introduced himself and then went on to introduce the first speaker. The first speaker was about 40 years old and he told his story. After he had finished speaking they took a five minute break for coffee, snacks, or cigarettes. The meeting was in session again and the second speaker was introduced. The second speaker who was about 70 years old then told his story. While he was speaking a basket was being passed around for donations. In the end everyone rose from their seats, said the Our Father, said a few other words about alcoholism and then the meeting came to an end. The stories told at the meeting made a lasting impression on me. At one point I felt as if I was going to cry. Although I could never fully understand what the speakers were going through or had already been through, I felt as if I almost could sympathize with their situations. Both speakers referred to the notion that they now have a higher power in their lives and that before there was nothing. They also referred to reading and using the Big Book, for guidance. Overall I was completely impressed with everything about the meeting. A couple of things that surprised me were that in the back of the room there was coffee and snacks for the break, and I was not quite sure what the basket being passed around for donations was for. I am still quite unsure of what the donation was for because A.A. does not require dues or fee of any type. It may have been a donation of some sort to the church. I believe that if I were to go to this meeting for help, I would most likely feel comfortable. The only factor that would cause me some uneasiness would be the fact that I would be the youngest at the meeting. That would probably not be much a problem beca...
