I was thrilled to see so many people who had been around and stayed for so long.
I mostly attend business assemblies and rarely get to the recovery events, but this time it would be strictly recovery. A friend in California suggested we meet at the 2016 Convention in Boston. We have been friends for decades as a result of our recovery and service to OA, but too much time passes between our visits, so this became our plan.
I arrived at the Convention hotel Thursday afternoon and found my roommate, an OA member from Canada. When I rode the elevator back to the lobby, I ended up in conversation with another member, who commented about my home being in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Another fellow in the elevator looked up to tell me he had friends in Baton Rouge, and we realized I was one of those friends! I had not seen him in more than twenty years! We had all come into the Fellowship long ago in New Jersey. We ended up chatting in the lobby, walking across the street to the market, and connecting there with my California friend.
On Friday, while attending a meeting, I was recognized by the gentleman behind me. We had also known each other in New Jersey. When he addressed me by name, the lady next to him revealed herself as a buddy of mine from a telephone meeting. We finally met in person. Small world.
At World Service Convention, the only service I was able to give was one-on-one. By the time I registered and expressed willingness to do service or speak, I was informed that all spots were filled, so the only speaking I did there was from the sharing microphone. That was just fine with me because I was able to sit back and listen. I was thrilled to see so many people who had been around and stayed for so long.
Since my California friend and I are both former members of the Board of Trustees, we were invited to attend a meeting of “Rusty Trustees.” What an awesome experience. Many of those present had been there when I attended my first Convention and World Service Business Conference in 1980. Others I knew from my board service from 1997 to 2003.
I cannot express how great it was to reconnect with so many people who are special to me. I saw young adults who were infants when I first met them. I saw people who have become parents and grandparents during the time we have known one another. And I realized something: When I attended that first WSBC in 1980, my children were barely teenagers, and now I am a great-grandmother—all while being a member of Overeaters Anonymous.
It’s true what we say: “Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous—welcome home!”
—Aleta P.
