Carrying the Message

I found my AA behind the prison walls. I have been out of prison over 12 years, but my concern has always been my inmate AA friends who are still in prison. I try to be of help to them, and I am happy to say today I am an honorary member of six different institutional AA groups in five states, although I have suffered two heart attacks and am unable to work or get around much. I am still trying to carry the AA message through letters. I am tired a lot of times on the way, but I have never tired of the way. I know those fellows in prison are there for the very same reason that I was there; they could not handle the bottle, and I am proof enough that institutional AA is needed, and that AA will work any time and any place when the desire to stay sober is greater than the desire to drink. Today through AA I am enjoying my freedom, but freedom means sobriety. Without sobriety I am hopeless and helpless.