Hi, the stories and experiences we live through are indeed quite similar. I honestly believe that is where the power and miracle of AA and other group therapy situations comes from. Everyday I thank God for the people that were in AA the day I walked into my first meeting. I will never forget a lady that came quickly across the room with a braod smile and her hand outreached to shake my hand. In her other hand was a "new comers" packet that many AA groups put together (phone numbers and names, meeting times, etc). They made me feel like I belonged, that I was welcome and infact that they understood and loved me. They did and it was genuine. Today.... many of those people are now gone from this life and they died sober. I have attended funerals and I assure you until you have been to an AA funeral, you are truly missing something. You can walk on the "Love" that is present there. The "Acceptance" of all of life issues with AA'ers is remarkable. Yeah, we "loose" a lot with our experiences but what I have gained is priceless and if I had to go through it a hundred times to get to where I am today, well it would be worth it. Thanks for post, Tony