OLDER people probably will remember signs similar to the above which were displayed at one time in public amusement places, referring to lowly piano players.

A little sad music, professor, while I unburden myself.

In AA, it's the lowly old-timer (an unflattering label if I ever heard one) who is a target for a lot of shooting. He is blamed for many things, from fuddy-duddyness to a deficit in the group treasury. (At this point let me shed a few furtive tears of self-pity).

When the going gets tough, a few of the old-timers barricade themselves in storm cellars, but the rest of us ride out the storm until it has abated. We remember that our sobriety is just as important to us as the sobriety of newer members is to them.

We grant, however, that you may be right in some of your criticisms. Perhaps we get a little smug at times. We do have a tendency to become a little over-proud of the length of our sobriety. It's possible, too, that some of us are unintentionally over-active in our group and don't always step aside to give the newer member greater scope for his energy and activities.

Still, we are alcoholics, too. We're only one drink away from disaster just as you are. If we don't keep moving in AA, both mentally and physically, we will fail to improve our sobriety. We must remain active to survive and continue. Sometimes the desire for a drink may come just as unexpectedly to us, after years of sobriety, as it may to someone comparatively new. The latent compulsion is always there, ready for an upsurge.

The so-called old-timers need you and your fresh eagerness and enthusiasm for the program. In my case, it's always a stimulating and encouraging experience to know you. We even like to share, although it's vicarious, in your AA "honeymoon period", so that some of your newly-found wonder at the miracle of your sobriety will rub off on us.

There is really only one thing that an old-timer is reluctant to contemplate, and that, is becoming the forgotten man (or woman) in the group, someone to be taken for granted. He doesn't want that because he needs you, and your friendship and understanding, to keep on growing.

So, a salute to the "young blood" in AA! Let us continue to work together, side by side, for the common purpose of a mutually beneficial sobriety, reconciling our differences when there are any, with a proper regard for the feelings of one another.

These are some reflections of a member who has just celebrated his Tenth Anniversary in AA, one who isn't mad at anybody. This "old-timer" expects to go on attending meetings indefinitely. He will continue to take his rightful part in all group affairs. He will do his share of Twelfth Step work to the best of his ability. He plans never to deviate from his pattern of sobriety which has been successful for him since the beginning.

I feel that the quantity of sobriety is just as important as its quality. One is as indispensable to me as the other. There is a progression in the attainment and fulfillment of our sober goals which only the passage of time will bring about.

Please, guys and dolls, don't shoot this "old-timer." He's doing the best he can !

Anonymous, New York

Source: a.a. grapevine digital archives


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