Just have to share the spiritual magic with my MIP family.   This morning was the return of a old program celebration which was interrupted by "Nazies"  Nazies are book thumpers...black and white only no fluff or it isn't program.  This is my other side of my program...I am a double and most know it.  I am also co-founder of a 2 version AA home group called AA by the Bay.  There is a Saturday version and a Sunday version and it is well attended and just a little secret...two of the three founders were doubles with tap roots in Al-Anon visitors say that the meetings are "different" because we don't only deal with booze.  We don't break anonymity so for the fellowship it is AA.  Anywho a couple years ago some part time members decided that two of our celebrations; Easter Feaster and the Brunch before the Christmas crunch were not program and faulted traditions because the group used group monies to purchase some of the items for the pot-luck breakfasts we cooked and served after group.  They voted without the full membership being there and so the reaction was lack of participation in further discussion and a revote...it died for several years.   Get to the point Jerry F!!

I went early 6:15am in the dark taking our contribution of oven baked tater tots with parmesan cheese sprinkle and parked roadside because the park wasn't open and when it was I was still alone with the exception of my Higher Power.  It was dark, blustery and chilly with the sea surface broken up as the waves capped.  While I was alone I would acknowledge my Higher Power and our relationship and the ancestors of my culture.  I chant.  The first chant speaks of the arrival of wisdom and knowledge and the chant speaks of when the sun rises from the horizon the mountains loose their darkness which sinks into the earth...the arrival of light.  The next chant acknowledges the ancestors which came before us and who have left their spirits to accompany us on our journeys including memories of their experiences which we can draw on...we will do the same when we pass.  That chant is called Na Aumakua and it includes all ancestors.  The final chant  E Ho Mai actually for me is a conversation prayer to my Higher Power and the prayer is for wisdom and knowledge  of the words within the chants.  It is conversational because for me I feel that I am conversing directly to my Higher Power and that my Higher Power is there before me listening with respect and grace and mercy.  It isn't long yet it is very beautiful and melodic. Just before that chant I heard two of the group members arrive in the parking lot and just after I stepped up to ground level (I was below level standing about the ocean) the chilly wind which was blowing all around us turned warm for a second and then left and then came back from another direction and then left.  All of us felt it.  Bob was shirtless and felt it and Nathan did also...I don't like cold and chilly so I definitely felt it and it caused me to look around to see if I could find a fire source however I've never seen a fire in the wind and/or on the water and no one else was around except for my Higher Power and the ancestors.  There was no odor of smoke we just got acknowledge for who we are and what we were about to do which was to celebrate as family...not only alcoholics and families and then with the left overs we go among others who are sharing the park and feed them also till its all gone.  I don't like cold or chilly...I like warm and that was my acknowledgement.  I was heard.  The pot luck was awesome as it always is the food, fellowship and fun tells us that recovery is real...hugely real and there were over 50 of us to participate again including visitors from out of the area.  Of course I take MIP with me...of course I mention you, not by name and not often as MIP unless I am making a referral to a non-alcoholic family member who has our needs to speak with "others".  I would have loved to have you all feel that warm breath that came between the cold parts.    Just have to use your imaginations on that...I know you all have one.   Love you ((((hugs))))