Six months after I got sober the International AA/Alanon convention was held in Seattle, WA, my hometown (it was the last time the two met together as the conventions had grown so large). My first meeting of Alanon had happened many years before and at that meeting a yelled “What do you mean I can’t stop my husband from drinking!” My first meeting in AA was a woman’s meeting and what I most remember about it is that I laughed so much at the meeting. I realized that I had not really laughed for years until that night. The women were telling the most outrageous stories of what their life had been like while drinking and laughing about it! I felt that I had found my tribe. I was still scared and worried but there was some hope in me too.

As the convention got closer, I heard people at all the meetings talk about the program, when they were attending, and who they were going with. I wanted to be asked to join them, but no one was asking. I was scared to ask—again—for help. Finally, I did, and two women said yes and told me where we would meet for the opening ceremony in the Kingdome. I was happy yet still scared. I felt like the cool girls in high school had let me join them but that I knew I wasn’t cool.

As we moved into the Kingdome (Seattle’s multi-use stadium at the time), I felt excited and calm even though I didn’t usually feel calm in big crowds. I am short and often can’t see above anyone’s shoulders so it’s scary for me that I can’t see ahead. But I wasn’t scared there, and it hit me: I felt safe with all these Alcoholics! I trusted no one was drunk or on drugs and that often in crowds it was the unpredictability of people that scared me.

We took our seats and waited for the ceremony to begin. There was to be an introduction, a reading of the 12 steps and traditions as well as everyone saying the Serenity Prayer. I felt myself getting very emotional and tearing up. The stadium was not yet full. Then the parade started.

Slowly, delegations of recovering people (both AA and Alanon) walked in behind their country’s flag. There are about 195 countries in the world and AA is in 180 of them! Each nation was introduced. I would guess there were close to 100 countries there that day.

Suddenly, I was on my feet, just like most of the attendees. With each country named I clapped and smiled and then something miraculous happened. I heard myself say, “I can do this. There are enough people and enough support for me to stay sober—I am not alone!”  

That moment has stayed with me until this day. I even experienced it while writing this blog. I am not alone. The hand of AA and Alanon is always there if I need it and ask for it. Whenever I forget this (and I still do sometimes) I close my eyes and I am back in the Kingdome with all those recovering people—I am not alone.

The International Convention happens every five years and moves around the world—often in the United States. It falls on the weekend close to July 4 and that seems appropriate: to celebrate our independence from alcohol, drugs, codependency, and other addictions.

The next convention is in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on July 3-6, 2025. I hope to be there. Maybe you will too.