Ah, Humility!

CHRISTMAS MARKS ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY IN AA. A time for rejoicing. . .a time to remind ourselves that in this season of giving and receiving, we've had the greatest gift of all--sobriety.

A little chill runs through me, though, when I remember with what arrogance I negotiated for this gift a few years back.

Time was running out. The job I was rapidly losing might be my last good one. My marriage, held together by a devoted wife, couldn't stand much more. My self-respect was in a gruesome state.

I knew about AA. I had spied out a number of meetings. . .and found AAs worthy. My big decision was at hand--and I made it.

With a magnificent burst of arrogance, on Christmas day I formally presented my wife with an "intention of sobriety"--in writing, yet.

An outrageous gesture but a kind God let it pass--and an understanding wife still says: "Arrogant or not, it was the finest Christmas present I ever had."