[The Oklahoma City Jan. ’97 SA Convention] was my second convention in the States — the first was of another S-fellowship. What impressed me about this one was the substantial number of members with five to ten years of solid sobriety. There was a very strong emphasis on the solution rather than the problem. It was also great to see so many people from different ethnic and religious groups. It was a great reminder that this disease is no respecter of persons.

If the truth be known, the convention left me feeling rather flat. The high spot for me was an ordinary SA meeting downtown on the following day. Here I saw the fellowship in action. No hype, no frills, no convention buzz, just 25 ordinary people trying to stay sober. My heart opened for the first time in seven days. They say that the soul moves at the speed of a camel. I guess it had just taken that long for it to arrive at Oklahoma City.