What a Difference a Day Makes

It was on December 14, 1960 when I attended my first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. Never to be forgotten was the sense of shame and humiliation I felt when my shaking hands could not hold the cup of coffee they offered. Someone gently took it from me, held it to my lips and quietly said, "It's alright, dear. We understand." I believe it was that statement "we understand" that drew me back, as I had failed time and again to live by the simple affirmation "Just for today I will not take that first drink."