Diane G. first met her husband, John, in AA nearly 45 years ago. As uncommon as that is, what’s rarer still is that they stayed together utilizing the tools of AA to successfully raise their family, launch their careers, and help countless alcoholics along the way. John was one of my closest friends and I had a front-row seat to witness his remarkable ability to integrate AA into every facet of his life, including his marriage to Diane. What was beautiful was to watch John channel Diane’s love into everything he did. That love was unshakeable and when John died of liver cancer almost 7 years ago, Diane’s AA Program carried her through that tragic and difficult time. After he passed, she continued to channel John’s love into everything she did.

Today, Diane’s life reflects the richness of the AA Promises in action. She is involved and engaged in helping women in the Program, many of whom identify with the abject abuse she experienced growing up. Using every tool laid at her feet by AA, and other mental health resources, Diane has dealt with an incredible array of bad times and good times and she passes onto others the experience, strength, and hope that makes her a cherished friend to many, including yours truly.

Visit the AA Recovery Interviews website for more information and to contact me, Howard L.

To contact Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, visit aa.org.

Check out Howard’s Big Book Podcast, the complete unabridged audio version of the First and Second Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Big Book Podcast is an engaging word-for-word reading of all 11 chapters and more than 50 original stories most people have never seen. If you’ve only read the Fourth Edition, these amazing stories will be brand new to you. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Or listen on https://bigbookpodcast.com

[Disclaimer: In strict adherence to A.A.’s traditions, my anonymous guests and I speak for ourselves only, not for Alcoholics Anonymous at large. We share only our personal experiences with A.A. recovery. We acknowledge that AA’s sole concern is the recovery and continued sobriety of those alcoholics who turn to the Fellowship for help. As members of AA, our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. – Howard L.]