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seventy-three f

More Changes

I attended more than ninety AA meetings in ninety days. I received my thirty-day, sixty-day, and ninety-day chips, which I’ve kept all these years.

AA helped me distinguish between true friendship and party pals. I realized I had almost no true friends besides Tina in California, Martie at the salon, and Warren. Diana, Missy, and Big Eddie called during the first few weeks but then gave up. I wasn’t surprised.

The longer I stayed sober, the clearer my thoughts became. It wasn’t easy, but I now had a support network, a job, and the promise of a new career. Through AA, I learned to trust in God and made the decision to turn my life and my will over to him. I accepted the concept of “one day at a time” and made a commitment to work the Twelve Steps.

On June 1, 1987, I celebrated one year of sobriety and completed cosmetology school. I received my one-year chip from AA and sat for the state cosmetology licensing exam. With the help of Warren and Martie, my education was paid for.

“Congratulations!” Martie and Bella’s staff shouted as I opened the door to the salon.

My station was filled with balloons and bows. A bottle of sparkling cider sat next to a sheet cake. It dawned on me that I must have passed my exam.

“Now you can work for me full time!” Martie hugged me.

I thought back to celebrations in my former life. Martie would be cutting up lines of coke, while someone else would be passing out hits of speed.

I continued to attend AA meetings daily and began sponsoring new members. Warren and I met for dinner every week or two. Our friendship grew stronger the longer I stayed sober. He was my gift from God, the first person to give me unconditional love.