Pickin' and Grinnin' for Santa

I lean against the 100-year-old brick building in downtown Roanoke, Va., at 530 Luck Avenue, several days before Thanksgiving, sipping steaming coffee and warming my hands around a ceramic travel cup marked “Dad.” As small clusters of us alcoholics wait for the 8:00 p.m. AA meeting to begin, the sidewalks are filled with bundled-up folk hurrying into a performing arts center across the street. We are readily identifiable as alcoholics, huddled together outside, waiting for our meeting, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The familiar blue-and-white AA placard is hanging prominently on the front door. As they rush in to their jazz performance casting glances our way, the door beside me opens, allowing laughter and palpable camaraderie to pour out onto the street, welcoming me inside. The music of the heart of AA!