WELCOME OR "A WELCOME"
I am writing this article to urge AA members to remember one of the most important reasons why we all kept coming -- at least for me, anyway. And from what I have seen for the last eleven years, it's important to all of us.
Remember that person who approached you at your first meeting? The one with the glowing smile and friendly handshake? The one who talked to you for hours in the parking lot after the meeting? Not the one who just said, "Welcome," but the one who made you feel welcome. These are people who gave me hope -- and still do.
Today, I try to make people feel welcome. It takes more than a brief handshake before and after a meeting to do this. Diner meetings and long car rides to far-off speaking engagements in my early days were some of the most powerful meetings I've ever been to. I would ask, "Where are we going?" The reply was, "Don't worry about it."
As I look around at meetings today, I notice there are a lot of members saying "Welcome" but not necessarily making newcomers feel welcome. It almost seems that helping a newcomer has become too inconvenient for some members. Now that they are sober they don't want to stay up too late because they have "responsibilities." They need sleep. I'm sure glad people weren't too tired to make me feel welcome when I first got sober. Remember, everything we have today is a result of God, AA, and a friendly welcome. Sleep on that awhile!
John L., March 1999 AA Grapevine