Comparing “To Wives” to the original manuscript for our Basic Text
Comparison Format — Colors appear here only and are — — not used in the actual comparisons. — Words above brackets are from the pre-publication version. < Bracketed copy is from our Basic Text as it reads today. > ~ Format Examples ~Rarely have we < RARELY HAVE WE > seen a person fail who has thoroughly directions followed our < path >...~ ~ ~Now we think you can take it! < — — — — — > Here are the steps we took...~ ~ ~11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our — — — — — — < conscious > contact with God < as we understood Him >...~ ~ ~
Chapter 8 < Chapter 8 > TO WIVESWith few exceptions < WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS >, our book thus far has spoken of men. But what we have said applies quite as much to women. Our activities in behalf of women who drink are on the in- crease. There is every evidence that women regain their follow health as readily as men if they < try > our suggestions. But for every man who drinks others are involved – the wife who trembles in fear of the next debauch; the mother and father who see their son wasting away. Among us are wives, relatives and friends whose problem has not been solved, as well as some who have not yet found shall let a happy solution. We < want > the wives of Alcoholics Anonymous < to > address the wives of men who drink too much. What they say will apply to nearly everyone bound by ties of blood or affection to an alcoholic. - - - - < > want As wives of Alcoholics Anonymous, we < would like > you sense you to < feel > that we understand < > as perhaps few can. and help you to We want to analyze mistakes we have made < > avoid them < >. We want to leave you with the feeling that no situation is too difficult and no unhappiness too great to be overcome. ; We have traveled a rocky road < , > there is no mistake about that. We have had long rendezvous with hurt pride, , frustration, self-pity, misunderstanding < > and fear. These are not pleasant companions. We have been
105
driven to maudlin sympathy, to bitter resentment. Some of
us veered from extreme to extreme, ever hoping that one day
our loved ones would be themselves once more.
,
Our loyalty < > and the desire that our husbands hold up
their heads and be like other men have begotten all sorts of
predicaments. We have been unselfish and self-sacrificing.
We have told innumerable lies to protect our pride and our
husbands' reputations. We have prayed, we have begged, we
have been patient. We have struck out viciously. We have
run away. We have been hysterical. We have been terror
stricken. We have sought sympathy. We have had retaliatory
love affairs with other men.
Our homes have been battle-grounds many an evening. In
the morning we have kissed and made up. Our friends have
counseled chucking the men and we have done so with finality,
,
only to be back in a little while < > hoping, always hoping.
Our men have sworn great solemn oaths that they were through
drinking forever. We have believed them when no one else
,
could < > or would. Then, in days, weeks, or months, a fresh
outburst.
We seldom had friends at our homes, never knowing how or
when the men of the house would appear. We could make few
, unwanted
social engagements. We came to live almost alone < >
by anyone always
< >. When we were invited out, our husbands < >
sneaked so many drinks that they spoiled the occasion. If,
on the other hand, they took nothing, their self-pity made
them killjoys.
There was never financial security. Positions were
always in jeopardy or gone. An armored car could
106
not have brought the pay envelopes home. The checking
account melted like snow in June.
There
< Sometimes there > were other women. How heart-
breaking was this discovery; how cruel to be told they
understood our men as we did not!
; ;
The bill collectors < , > the sheriffs < , > the angry
; ; ;
taxi drivers < , > the policemen < , > the bums < , > the
; he
pals < , > and even the ladies < they sometimes > brought
home – our husbands thought we were so inhospitable. "Joy-
killer, nag, wet blanket" – that's what they said. Next day
they would be themselves again and we would forgive and try
to forget.
We have tried to hold the love of our children for their
father. We have told small tots that father was sick, which
was much nearer the truth than we realized. They struck the
children, kicked out door panels, smashed treasured crockery,
and ripped the keys out of pianos. In the midst of such
pandemonium they may have rushed out threatening to live with
the other woman forever. In desperation, we have even got
tight ourselves – the drunk to end all drunks. The unexpec-
ted result was that our husbands seemed to like it.
Perhaps at this point we got a divorce and took the
children home to father and mother. Then we were severely
criticized by our husband's parents for desertion. Usually
we did not leave. We stayed on and on. We finally sought
employment ourselves as destitution faced us and our families.
We began to ask medical advice as the sprees got closer
together. The alarming physical and mental symptoms, the
deepening pall of remorse, depression and inferiority that
settled down on our loved ones –
107
these things terrified and distracted us. As animals on a
treadmill, we have patiently and wearily climbed, falling
back in exhaustion after each futile effort to reach solid
ground. Most of us have entered the final stage with its
commitment to health resorts, sanitariums, hospitals, and
jails. Sometimes there were screaming delirium and insanity.
Death was often near.
Under these conditions we naturally made mistakes. Some
of them rose out of ignorance of alcoholism. Sometimes we
sensed dimly that we were dealing with sick men. Had we fully
understood the nature of the alcoholic illness, we might have
behaved differently.
How could men who loved their wives and children be so
unthinking, so callous, so cruel? There could be no love in
such persons, we thought. And just as we were being convinced
of their heartlessness, they would surprise us with fresh
resolves and new attentions. For a while they would be their
old sweet selves, only to dash the new structure of affection
to pieces once more. Asked why they commenced to drink again,
they would reply with some silly excuse, or none. It was so
baffling, so heartbreaking. Could we have been so mistaken
in the men we married? When drinking, they were strangers.
Sometimes they were so inaccessible that it seemed as though
a great wall had been built around them.
And even if they did not love their families, how could
they be so blind about themselves? What had become of their
judgment, their common sense, their will power? Why could
they not see that drink meant ruin to them? Why was it, when
we pointed our ,
< > these dangers < were >
108
< pointed out > that they agreed < , > and then got drunk
again immediately?
These are some of the questions which race through the
girl
mind of every < woman > who has an alcoholic husband. We
our But now you
hope < this > book has answered some of them. < >
will have seen that perhaps
< Perhaps > your husband has been living in
that strange world of alcoholism where everything is distorted
and exaggerated. You can see that he really does love you
with his better self. Of course, there is such a thing as
incompatibility, but in nearly every instance the alcoholic
only seems to be unloving and inconsiderate; it is usually
because he is warped and sickened that he says and does these
appalling things. Today most of our men are better husbands
and fathers than ever before.
Don't
< Try not to > condemn your alcoholic husband no matter
what he says or does. He is just another very sick, unreason-
able person. Treat him, when you can, as though he had pneu-
monia. When he angers you, remember that he is very ill.
There is an important exception to the foregoing. We
realize < that > some men are thoroughly bad-intentioned,
that no amount of patience will make any difference. An
will
alcoholic of this temperament < may > be quick to use this
chapter as a club over your head. Don't let him get away
with it. If you are positive he is one of this type you
It is not
may feel you had better leave. < Is it > right to let
,
him ruin your life and the lives of your children < ? >
especially
< Especially > when he has before him a way to stop his
drinking and abuse if he really wants to pay the price.
The problem with which you struggle usually falls
within one of four categories:
One:
< One: > Your husband may be only a heavy drinker.
109
His drinking may be constant or it may be heavy only on cer-
He
tain occasions. < Perhaps he > spends too much money for
slows
liquor It < may be slowing > him up mentally and physically,
but he does not see it. Sometimes he is a source of embar-
rassment to you and his friends. He is positive he can
handle his liquor, that it does him no harm, that drinking
is necessary in his business. He would < probably > be insul-
ted if < he were > called an alcoholic. The world is full of
people like him. Some will moderate or stop altogether, and
some will not. Of those who keep on, a good number will be-
come true alcoholics after a while.
Two:
< Two: > Your husband is showing lack of control < , >
He ,
< for he > is unable to stay on the water wagon < > even
when he wants to. He often gets entirely out of hand when
obsessed with the
drinking. He admits this is true, but is < positive >
idea
< > that he will do better. He has begun to try, with or
without your cooperation, various means of moderating or stay-
He
ing dry. < Maybe he > is beginning to lose his friends. His
business may suffer somewhat. He is worried at times, and
is becoming aware that he cannot drink like other people. He
,
sometimes drinks in the morning < > and through the day also,
to hold his nervousness in check. He is remorseful after
serious drinking bouts and tells you he wants to stop. But
when he gets over the spree, he begins to think once more
This
how he can drink moderately next time. < We think this >
He has
person is in danger. < These are > the earmarks of a real
alcoholic. Perhaps he can still tend to business fairly well.
He has by no means ruined everything. As we say among our-
He wants to want to stop.
selves, "< He wants to want to stop. >"
Three:
< Three: > This husband has gone much further than
,
husband number two. Though once like number two < >
110
he became worse. His friends have slipped away, his home is
,
a near-wreck < > and he cannot hold a position. Maybe the
doctor has been called in, and the weary round of sanitariums
and hospitals has begun. He admits he cannot drink like other
people, but does not see why. He clings to the notion that he
will yet find a way to do so. He may have come to the point
where he desperately wants to stop but cannot. His case pre-
sents additional questions which we shall try to answer for
you. You can be quite hopeful of a situation like this.
Four:
< Four: > You may have a husband of whom you completely
despair. He has been placed in one institution after another.
,
He is violent, or < appears > definitely insane < > when
drunk. Sometimes he drinks on the way home from the hospital.
Perhaps he has had delirium tremens. Doctors < may > shake
their heads and advise you to have him committed. Maybe you
have already been obliged to put him away. This picture may
not be as dark as it looks. Many of our husbands were just
as far gone. Yet they got well.
Let's now go back to husband number one. Oddly enough,
he is often difficult to deal with. He enjoys drinking. It
stirs his imagination. His friends feel closer over a high-
ball. Perhaps you enjoy drinking with him yourself when he
doesn't go too far. You have passed happy evenings together
chatting and drinking before your fire. Perhaps you both like
parties which would be dull without liquor. We have enjoyed
such evenings ourselves; we had a good time. We know all
about liquor as a social lubricant. Some, but not all of us,
think it has its advantages when reasonably used.
111
Your husband has begun to abuse alcohol.
< > The first
principle of success is that you should never be angry. Even
,
though your husband becomes unbearable < > and you have to
leave him temporarily, you should, if you can, go without
vitally
rancor. Patience and good temper are < most > necessary.
The rule
< Our > next < thought > is that you should never tell
to
him what < he must > do about his drinking. If he gets the
idea that you are a nag or a killjoy, your chance of accom-
will
plishing anything useful < may > be zero. He will use that
some
as an excuse to drink < > more. He will tell you he is
misunderstood. This may lead to lonely evenings for you. He
may seek someone else to console him – not always another man.
Be determined that your husband's drinking is not going
relation
to spoil your < relations > with your children or your
friends. They need your companionship and your help. It is
possible to have a full and useful life, though your husband
continues to drink. We know women who are unafraid, even
,
happy < > under these conditions. Do not set your heart
on reforming your husband. You may be unable to do so, no
matter how hard you try.
not impossible
We know these suggestions are < sometimes difficult >
to follow, but you will save many a heartbreak if you can
will
succeed in observing them. Your husband < may > come to
will
appreciate your reasonableness and patience. This < may >
frank and
lay the groundwork for a < > friendly talk about his
liquor
< alcoholic > problem. Try to have him bring up the subject
Besure
himself. < Be sure > you are not critical during such a dis-
cussion. Attempt instead, to put yourself in his place. Let
him see that you want to be helpful rather than critical.
When a discussion does arise, you might suggest he
112
,
read this book < > or at at least the chapter on alcoholism.
Tell him you have been worried, though perhaps needlessly.
You think he ought to know the subject better, as everyone
should have a clear understanding of the risk he takes if he
drinks too much. Show him you have confidence in his power
to stop or moderate. Say you do not want to be a wet blanket;
that you only want him to take care of his health. Thus you
may succeed in interesting him in alcoholism.
He probably has several alcoholics among his own acquain-
tances. You might suggest that you both take an interest in
them. Drinkers like to help other drinkers. Your husband may
, perhaps over a highball
be willing to talk to one of them < >.
If this kind of approach does not catch your husband's
for a time
interest, it may be best to drop the subject < >, but
after a friendly talk your husband will usually revive the
topic himself. This may take patient waiting, but it will be
worth it. Meanwhile you might try to help the wife of another
serious drinker. If you act upon these principles, your hus-
after a while
band may stop or moderate < >.
Suppose, however, that your husband fits the description
of number two. The same principles which apply to husband
number one should be practiced. But after his next binge,
ask him if he would really like to get over drinking for good.
Do not ask that he do it for you or anyone else. Just would
like
he < like > to?
The chances are he would. Show him your copy of this
book and tell him what you have found out about alcoholism.
Show him that < as alcoholics, > the writers of the book un-
as only alcoholics can
derstand < >. Tell him some of the in-
teresting stories you have read. If you think he will be shy
our
of < a > spiritual remedy, ask him to look at the chapter on
113
alcoholism. Then perhaps he will be interested enough to
continue.
, cooperate with him, though you,
If he is enthusiastic < your cooperation >
yourself, may not yet agree with all we say
< will mean a great deal >. If he is luke-
,
warm < > or thinks he is not an alcoholic, < we suggest you >
Never urge
leave him alone. < Avoid urging > him to follow our program.
over
The seed has been planted in his mind. He knows that < >
a hundred
< thousands of > men, much like himself, have recovered. But
don't remind him of this after he has been drinking, for he
will
< may > be angry. Sooner or later, you are likely to find him
reading the book once more. Wait until repeated stumbling
,
convinces him he must act, for the more you hurry him < >
the longer his recovery may be delayed.
If you have a number three husband, you may be in luck.
Being certain he wants to stop, you can go to him with this
volume as joyfully as though you had struck oil. He may not
share your enthusiasm, but he is practically sure to read the
,
book < > and he may go for the program at once. If he does
not, you will probably not have long to wait. Again, you
must
< should > not crowd him. Let him decide for himself. Cheer-
fully see him through more sprees. Talk about his condition
or this book only when he raises the issue. In some cases it
doctor
may be better to let < someone outside > the family < >
The doctor
present the book. < They > can urge action without
arousing hostility. If your husband is otherwise a normal
individual, your chances are good at this stage.
You would suppose that men in the fourth classification
would be quite hopeless, but that is not so. Many of Alcohol-
ics Anonymous were like that. Everybody had given them up.
have
Defeat seemed certain. Yet often such men < had > spectacular
and powerful recoveries.
114
There are exceptions. Some men have been so impaired
by alcohol that they cannot stop. Sometimes there are cases
where alcoholism is complicated by other disorders. A good
doctor or psychiatrist can tell you whether these compli-
see that
cations are serious. In any event, < try to have > your
gets
husband < read > this book. His reaction may be one of
enthusiasm. If he is already committed to an institution
< , > but can convince you and your doctor that he means
you should
business, < > give him a chance to try our method,
unless the doctor thinks his mental condition < too >
abnormal or dangerous. We make this recommendation with
some confidence. < For years we have been working with >
About a year ago
< alcoholics committed to institutions. Since this book >
a certain state institution six chronic
< was first published, A.A. has > released < thousands of >
alcoholics < from asylums and hospitals of every kind >.
It was fully expected they would all be back in a few weeks.
< >
Only one of them has The others had
< The majority have never > returned. < >
no relapse at all.
< > The power of God goes deep!
You may have the reverse situation on your hands. Per-
haps you have a husband who is at large, but who should be
,
committed. Some men cannot < > or will not get over alcohol-
ism. When they become too dangerous, we think the kind thing
is to lock them up < , but of course a good doctor should >
< always be consulted >. The wives and children of such men
less
suffer horribly, but not < more > than the men themselves.
The next paragraph appears in the manuscript only.
As a rule, an institution is a dismal place, and some-
times it is not conducive to recovery. It is a pity that
chronic alcoholics must often mingle with the insane. Some
day we hope our group will be instrumental in changing this
condition. Many of our husbands spent weary years in insti-
tutions. Though more reluctant than most people to place
our men there, we sometimes suggest that it be done. Of
course, a good doctor should always be consulted.
The previous paragraph appeared only in the manuscript.
But sometimes you must start life anew. We know women
our
who have done it. If such women adopt < a spiritual > way
,
of life < > their road will be smoother.
If your husband is a drinker, you < probably > worry
. You
over what other people are thinking < and you > hate to meet
.
your friends. You draw more and more into yourself < and >
You
< you > think everyone is talking about conditions at your
home. You avoid the subject of drinking,
115
even with your own parents. You do not know what to tell the
children. When your husband is bad, you become a trembling
recluse, wishing the telephone had never been invented.
We find that most of this embarrassment is unnecessary.
While you need not discuss your husband < at length >, you
what trouble is.
can quietly let your friends know < > the < nature of >
Sometimes it is wise to talk with his
< his illness. >
employer.
< > But you must be on guard not to embarrass or
harm your husband.
When you have carefully explained to such people that
little more to blame than other men
he is a sick person, < >
who drink but manage their liquor better,
< > you will have
created a new atmosphere. Barriers which have sprung up
between you and your friends will disappear with the growth
of sympathetic understanding. You will no longer be self-
, nor
conscious < or > feel that you must apologize as though your
husband were a weak character. He may be anything but that.
,
Your new courage, good nature < > and lack of selfconscious-
your social status
ness will do wonders for < you socially >.
The same principle applies in dealing with the children.
Unless they actually need protection from their father, it is
best not to take sides in any argument he has with them while
drinking. Use your energies to promote a better understanding
all around. Then that terrible tension which grips the home
of every problem drinker will be lessened.
Frequently < , > you have felt obliged to tell your hus-
band's employer and his friends that he was sick, when as a
matter of fact he was tight. Avoid answering these inquiries
as much as you can. Whenever possible, let your husband ex-
plain. Your desire to protect him should not cause you to
,
lie to people < > when they have a right to know where he is
and what he is doing.
116
Discuss this with him when he is sober and in good spirits.
to promise that he will not place
Ask him < what you should do if he places > you in such a
position again. But be careful not to be resentful about
the last time he did so.
are
There is another paralyzing fear. You < may be > afraid
your husband will lose his position; you are thinking of the
disgrace and hard times which will befall you and the child-
ren. This experience may come to you. Or you may already
have had it several times. Should it happen again, regard it
in a different light. Maybe it will prove a blessing! It may
convince your husband he wants to stop drinking forever. And
now you know that he can stop if he will! Time after time,
this apparent calamity has been a boon to us, for it opened up
a path which led to the discovery of God.
We have elsewhere remarked how much better life is when
lived on a spiritual plane. If God can solve the age-old
he
riddle of alcoholism, < He > can solve your problems too. We
wives found that, like everybody else, we were afflicted with
,
pride, self-pity, vanity < > and all the things which go
to make up the self-centered person; and we were not above
selfishness or dishonesty. As our husbands began to apply
spiritual principles in their lives, we began to see the
desirability of doing so too.
that
At first, some of us did not believe < > we needed
this help. We thought, on the whole, we were pretty good
women, capable of being nicer if our husbands stopped drink-
ing. But it was a silly idea that we were too good to need
God. Now we try to put spiritual principles to work in every
department of our lives. When we do that, we find it solves
:
our problems too < ; > the ensuing lack of fear, worry and
hurt feelings is a wonderful
117
thing. We urge you to try our program, for nothing will be
so helpful to your husband as the radically changed attitude
toward him which God will show you how to have. Go along
with your husband if you possibly can.
If you and your husband find a solution for the pressing
,
problem of drink < > you are, of course, going to be very
happy. But all problems will not be solved at once. Seed
has started to sprout in a new soil, but growth has only
begun. In spite of your new-found happiness, there will be
ups and downs. Many of the old problems will still be with
you. This is as it should be.
The faith and sincerity of both you and your husband
You must regard these
will be put to the test. < These > work-outs
< should be regarded > as part of your education, for thus
as you were intended to live
you will be learning to live < >.
,
You will make mistakes, but if you are in earnest < > they
will not drag you down. Instead, you will capitalize them.
A better way of life will emerge when they are overcome.
Some of the snags you will encounter are irritation,
,
hurt feelings < and > resentments. Your husband will some-
,
times be unreasonable < > and you will want to criticize.
Starting from a speck on the domestic horizon, great thunder-
clouds of dispute may gather. These family dissensions are
very dangerous, especially to your husband. Often you must
carry the burden of avoiding them or keeping them under con-
trol. Never forget that resentment is a deadly hazard to an
alcoholic. We do not mean that you have to agree with your
wherever
husband < whenever > there is an honest difference of opinion.
Just be careful not to disagree in a resentful or critical
spirit.
118
You and your husband will find that you can dispose of
serious problems easier than you can the trivial ones. Next
time you and he have a heated discussion, no matter what the
subject, it should be the privilege of either to smile and
say, "This is getting serious. I'm sorry I got disturbed.
Let's talk about it later." If your husband is trying to
live on a spiritual basis, he will also be doing everything
in his power to avoid disagreement or contention.
Your husband knows he owes you more than sobriety. He
wants to make good. Yet you must not expect too much. His
ways of thinking and doing are the habits of years. Patience
, your
tolerance, understanding < > and love are < the > watchwords.
Show him these things in yourself and they will be reflected
back to you from him. Live and let live is the rule. If you
both show a willingness to remedy your own defects, there will
be little need to criticize each other.
We women carry with us a picture of the ideal man, the
sort of chap we would like our husbands to be. It is the most
natural thing in the world, once his liquor problem is solved,
to feel that he will now measure up to that cherished vision.
,
The chances are he will not < > for < , > like yourself,
he is just beginning his development. Be patient.
Another feeling we are very likely to entertain is one of
resentment that love and loyalty could not cure our husbands
of alcoholism. We do not like the thought that the contents
, ,
of a book < > or the work of another alcoholic < > has accom-
the end
accomplished in a few weeks < that > for which we struggled
for years. At such moments we forget that alcoholism is an
illness over which we could not possibly have had any power.
Your husband will
119
be the first to say it was your devotion and care which
brought him to the point where he could have a spiritual
experience. Without you he would have gone to pieces long
ago. When resentful thoughts come, < try to > pause and
count your blessings. After all, your family is reunited,
,
alcohol is no longer a problem < > and you and your husband
are working together toward an undreamed-of future.
Still another difficulty is that you may become jealous
of the attention he bestows on other people, especially alco-
holics. You have been starving for his companionship, yet he
spends long hours helping other men and their families. You
must
feel he should now be yours. The fact is that he < should >
he < should > work with other people to maintain his own
sobriety. Sometimes he will be so interested that he becomes
really neglectful. Your house is filled with strangers. You
may not like some of them. He gets stirred up about their
no
troubles, but not at all about yours. It will do < little >
good if you point that out and urge more attention for your-
It is if you
self. < We find it > a real mistake < to > dampen his en-
thusiasm for alcoholic work. You should join in his efforts
Direct
as much as you possibly can. < We suggest that you direct >
some of your thought to the wives of his new alcoholic
friends. They need the counsel and love of a woman who has
gone through what you have.
It is probably true that you and your husband have been
almost isolated
living too much alone, for drinking < many times isolates >
many of us
< the wife of an alcoholic >. Therefore, you < probably >
need fresh interests and a great cause to live for as much
as your husband. If you cooperate, rather than complain,
you will find that his excess enthusiasm will tone down.
Both of you will awaken to a new
120
sense of responsibility for others. You, as well as your hus-
must ,
band, < ought to > think of what you can put into life < >
instead of how much you can take out. Inevitably your lives
will be fuller for doing so. You will lose the old life to
find one much better.
Perhaps your husband will make a fair start on the new
,
basis, but just as things are going beautifully < > he dismays
be
you < by > coming home drunk. If you are satisfied he really
wants to get over drinking, you need not be alarmed. Though
it is infinitely better < that > he have no relapse at all,
as has been true with many of our men, it is by no means a
bad thing in some cases. Your husband will see at once that
he must redouble his spiritual activities if he expects to
If he adopts this view, the slip will help him.
survive. < >
You need not remind him of his spiritual deficiency – he will
know of it. Cheer him up and ask him how you can be still
more helpful.
Even your hatred must go.
< > The slightest sign of fear
will
or intolerance < may > lessen your husband's chance of reco-
very. In a weak moment he may take your dislike of his high-
stepping friends as one of those insanely trivial excuses to
drink.
Never his ,
< We never >, never try to arrange < a man's > life < >
so as to shield him from temptation. The slightest disposi-
tion on your part to guide his appointments or his affairs so
he will not be tempted will be noticed. Make him feel abso-
lutely free to come and go as he likes. This is important.
If he gets drunk, don't blame yourself. God has either re-
,
either removed your husband's liquor problem < > or He has
not. If not, it had better be found out right away. Then
you and your husband can get right down to fundamentals.
If a repetition is to be prevented, place the problem,
along with everything else, in God's hands.
121
We realize < that > we have been giving you much
"preachy"
direction and advice. We may have seemed < to lecture >.
,
If that is so we are sorry, for we ourselves < > don't
preach
< always > care for people who < lecture us >. But what we
have related is based upon experience, some of it painful.
We had to learn these things the hard way. That is why we
are anxious that you understand, < and > that you avoid
these unnecessary difficulties.
So to you out there – who may soon be with us – we
say "Good luck and God bless you!"
NoNameYet Online A.A. 