The Northwest Region held its biannual retreat May 23 – 25. There were 70 members of SA and S-Anon in attendance.

I came away from White Rock feeling part of rather than apart from. I got to thinking about the actions that brought these feelings in their wake. I came to the retreat with six other members. I joined these friends in a walk down to the beach. I went over some Step work on a major resentment with another member of the program. I borrowed another member’s cell phone to call my son for his birthday. I adjusted to sleeping in a cabin with six other sexaholics. I participated in leading a meeting. I made some new friends from other parts of our region. I was continuing the “process of growing up by coming out,” as our literature says.

I also came away from White Rock feeling that SA recovery in the Northwest was growing stronger. There were more familiar faces at this retreat as well as those of newcomers to the Fellowship. More of us are using the kit of spiritual tools that give us a daily reprieve from our illness. New leadership is coming forward to assume service roles within our Fellowship. And plans are being made to carry our message to the professional community.

My experience at White Rock reassured me that I’m not alone. There are many others trudging the same road of happy destiny. And for that I am grateful.