how far you've come or how much time in how many meetings.  It isn't about
how far you have to go and what you have to achieve in the future. 
That's all important and it's not the end of it all.  It's about right now. 
Where am I right now and what am I doing in the now and am I
here with my HP and what I've been given by those who have come before me.

Was just transplanting two avocato seeds from their starting glasses into
post with soil and a touch of fertilizer.  The open mindedness I was taught
here started a panoramic of the journey the seed traveled; from the neighbors
tree, across the open field, handed to my wife with caring, accepted with
gratitude and eaten with relish.  They were great and we could taste the
difference between others we get; buttery not watery and firm and thin skinned
with small pits making room for more flesh.  They were very good and
because of that we decided to see if they would root which they did and
hopefully turn into bearing trees, which they will if we continue to do what
we have been taught.

So far we tried the fruit and found it was good.  Then we planted the
seed and fertilized it.  Now I will continue to come back to it to keep
giving it what I should so that it will grow back into the cycle and become
the miracle...a much larger thing than the seed with branches that reach
out in all directions, feeding and giving seeds.

It's about coming back and giving away (doing service) what was freely
given to me and planting and watering and expecting the miracle that I
once was and have seen duplicated so often since I crawled my way thru
the doors of my first, for real, meeting.   It's about coming back compulsed
about witnessing the miracle happen over and over and over because the
process is repeated the same way.  I come back for the miracles.  I want
to see the seed sprout and grow again.  I want to watch the tree grow
and reach out to touch and feed others who need to be fed back into
health spiritual, mentally, emotionally and physically. 

The seed was planted in me on February 8, 1979.  It was put into willing
soil and fertilized by hundreds of farmers who knew how to plant, cultivate
nourish and harvest and who knew how to do it all with unconditional love
concern and compassion.  Along the way I was told how much of a miracle
I was.  I was turning out just like them with a desire to see the same process
happen in others.   Ask anyone who is still here what the "miracle" means
to them. 

The biggest part of the miracle to me is that my HP can and will use such
metaphors to help me remember and I can hear soooo clearly my HPs voice
as HP guides me thru it...."See Jerry F, this is how it's done and this is
what happens and this is what happened to you."

When I was very young here and overwhelmed by the love I received; of
course I would ask my HP, "Why me?  How'd you find me deserving?"
I did that until my HP asked me the question, "Why not you?"

Just let me pass something on to those who are searching..."Don't leave
before the miracle happens" and for those who have just crossed the
threshold of the front door to this program, "Keep coming back!!"

To the oldtimers (those who have been given the miracle and given it
away and saved another's life), I have no greater gratitude, respect and
love than for you who can and will unselfishly give yourself away freely
so that someone else can find their life worth living and know how to
achieve it.

I hope that deepest gratitude rocked your socks off...you all deserve it;
and I'm no mere avocato anymore.  All the green is gone!!

(((((hugs)))))  ((((World-wide fellowship of the Al-Anon Family Groups and
Miracles in Progress family.))))