Comment from the Convention

THERE was hardly time for me to lose my first registration badge Thursday afternoon before I talked with a man whose correct apparel contrasted with the gaudy color worn by the Californians. He was Martin K. of Johannesburg, Union of South Africa. Martin traveled a fair piece by jet, via London and Manhattan, to be with us. "The greatest thrill of my life," said Martin. Here's the kicker: equally thrilled was Frank F. of North Hollywood, who joined us just at the moment. For Frank is the man who conducted the first American California-style AA meeting in South Africa, back in 1952. . .Then on Thursday night, the band began to beat it out for the dance which was the real kickoff of the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Convention. There under the dim lights I saw O.K.P. of San Francisco--my sponsor, no less--a fellow-newspaper-man I hadn't seen in years, and an Old Blue of the same Skid Road from where I matriculated into the Fellowship. We didn't have time for much talk at the Convention, but we didn't need many words. . . .Then came a greeting from Renee of Beatty, Nevada, who was wearing a ginger lei brought by a friend from the Waikiki Group. . . .And there was Luis A. of Santa Barbara who calls himself "Louie the Mexican." Take a good look at his smile, lighted as it is from within. When he first read the Big Book, he had so little English that he had to use an English-Spanish dictionary. But he got the message a dozen or so years ago, and now he's a graduate of a Santa Barbara high school. . .and him a grandfather, yet. . .Sigurd O. of Anchorage, Alaska, whom I met within minutes after talking to Grettir J. of Winnipeg, said the Convention was his most rewarding trip "outside". . .and there across a bustling lobby was Sigrid of San Francisco. She came "outside" years ago from Fairbanks, Alaska, and stayed. . .Also in my notes I find, Nina C., Anchorage, Alaska, and I remember we spoke briefly. After her name, I find in quotation marks, "bless her heart," but what that referred to, I cannot remember at all. . .And a note about Bill McD. from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the only man I ever saw eat a whole bag of popcorn while he smoked a big cigar. . .Most memorable was the meeting of a redhaired member named Mary with Sister Ignatia. When Mary tried to tell the Sister how grateful all of us are for her great work on our behalf, this was the reply: "But I am so insignificant in the face of this movement, which surely had divine guidance from the start.". . .On the lighter side, there was the Long Beach bartender who surveyed the gleaming mahogany of the practically empty premises with a gloomy eye. "What do you think of the AA Convention?" someone asked. "They come down here with their Twelve Commandments and their twenty-dollar bills," said the barkeep, "and so far as I know they ain't broke none yet.". . .Wes L. of Arcadia, Florida, had a story--he was on a two-month journey, a vacation from his florist business, and during his trip he celebrated his own fifth AA birthday, his sixtieth common, or natural, birthday and his thirty-third wedding anniversary. He wouldn't have been around for any of these happy events, probably, if someone hadn't carried the message. . .another miracle. . .Long Beach.