While every ESSAY edition is special, carefully thought out, and filled with SA recovery, we would like to describe this edition as unique. The Fellowship has had many losses in the past year. Some experienced loss in recovery for the first time. Can the Twelve Steps and the Fellowship of SA aid those grieving? 

In this June 2025 edition, members share how the Twelve Steps and outside help from professionals aided them in experiencing loss. Members share how the fellowship set up opportunities for all who wanted to surrender, cry, and celebrate those who have passed.

Especially challenging was losing a beloved oldtimer, Sylvia J., who played a key role in SA’s beginnings. In her memorial, we will hear from Sylvia’s own words and learn from her sponsees and friends how the principles shaped her personality.

One member shares how the amends process helped him break through numbness. Another member discovers that every passing is a celebration of life. One oldtimer describes his journey as saying goodbye to everything until only God and he are left. Many members share on losing our dear member, Luc D., whose journey greatly impacted many members’ recoveries. 

In this edition, we surrender, celebrate, grieve, and grow together.