Friends of Bill W.

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INDYK8

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Dec 23, 2018
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I'm just beginning the build on my ambulance so I'm jumping the gun on this but I was just wondering if any friends of Bill W. gather at the RTR or socialize in other ways on the road?  Or do you keep that separate and just go to meetings in the area where you find yourself as I did when I did my van stint back in '94-'96.
 
There has been a group with meetings the last two years at the RTR. I did the meetings last year. I also have the symbol on my truck and travel trailer so I meet others on the road. I attend meetings in the areas I camp. I’ve never been more than 30 miles from a local meeting. I have 2 1/2 years full time on tie road.


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That's so exciting!!  I believed we'd have a presence but wasn't sure.  I have a 21st anniversary coming up on the 19th of this month.  I'm trying so hard to stay in today because there are obstacles to how much I can do with the ambulance.  It needs work, brakes,oil change, inspection a leak in the roof, and I need to be mindful of funds.  All this while I'm continuing art shows and beginning the process of selling my belongings so I can sell my house.  I want to be on the road yesterday!  I am so grateful I found this forum.  Thanks Blanch for your answer and just being here.
 
Though I had a fairly short drinking career, I was very dedicated to it after my husband died. Now, wherever I am when I travel, I find a Meeting. I'm not the least embarasssed and I've always been more than welcome to join in. Sometimes a nice lady will invite me home for a hot shower and a slice of banana nut bread and I always accept the invitation. If there is a Meeting at RTR and I make RTR, I will be there with bells-on.

Peace and Love

Liv
 
Last two years the RTR meetings have been great! The first year I think we had between 7 and 12 people. Last year I think our meetings were from 30 to 40 people.

Sadly I am stuck with tire problems at La Posa North LTVA and won’t make it to the RTR to camp. I’d love to drive over and catch a meeting, so when a spot is established and a time agreed upon for meetings, can someone post time and location here?

Thanks!!!


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15 years ago I was driving on the freeway somewhere in the middle of the country, in the middle of the night, far from home, in a van with a "Protected by Smith & Wilson" bumper sticker on it. I pulled into a truck stop and a guy pulled in next to me. He was visibly distressed, and asked if the sticker meant what he thought it did. He told me he had 2 years and was really feeling the urge, and asked if I would have coffee with him. We had a little fellowship at a corner table in the diner, not getting too heavy about anything, just talking about life, pain, the past, and the present. 4 cups later we went our separate ways, and I never saw or heard from him again. I don't know what happened to him later on, but I know for those 2 and a half hours we both stayed sober!
 
INDYK8 said:
  I'm trying so hard to stay in today because there are obstacles to how much I can do with the ambulance.  

I know this is off topic but I have always wondered about those ambulances; I've never seen the inside of a build. Are you limited by the structure that's already inside there? Do you have a build thread? I'd love to follow your progress.
 
Those are magic times, Godincidences. When I was in my van in '94 I had a sticker that simply said "page 449" That was when acceptance was on that page in the fourth edition. I had an officer on a military base where I was working come up to me and ask if it was my van. When I cautiously replied yes he admitted he was a friend of Bill's as well and we had an impromptu discussion.

Anonymity is a funny thing. I don't tout my sobriety to all and sundry but I let my identity be known so that God can use me as It sees fit.
 
There’s not been any activity on this thread for some time, but I’ll try. Anyone know of a zoom aa meeting specifically by/for nomads such as ourselves? It’s been my experience that folks often don’t get my lifestyle choice, assuming I’m “homeless” due to drinking. Which of course, has nothing to do with my choice to live in my van.
 
I don't know of a Zoom meeting, but I'm hitting the road in November in my converted ambulance, (INDY.) And I have renewed my membership in a group that was instrumental in my early recovery 22 years ago. It's one of, if not THE oldest online groups, Lamplighters.
http://aa-lamplighters.org/public/faq.htm

It comes to me in my email and is as real a meeting as you could want, complete with 'coffee bar chat' and 'out in the parking lot' discussions. You can't imagine it until you experience it. It has held me during this pandemic along with my sponsor and sponsees. Thanks for replying to this thread! Hope to meet you out there, in the rooms, on the road, or both!
 
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