Forgetting to Share the Gift

I witnessed a tragedy yesterday. A young mother and her child were tactlessly turned away from an AA meeting. The mother was just days old in the program. Her child was well into the terrible twos, and really good at it. Before the meeting, I noticed them in the back corner of the room, but I gave them little thought as I went about the business of hugging friends, gabbing and snacking. She continued struggling, and I continued socializing. It was a women's meeting and the room was filled with mothers and grandmothers. Now, with great hindsight, I ask myself: "Why wasn't that newcomer the most important person in the room?"