“Have you worked the Steps on this issue?” Sylvia asked me that question regularly when she was my sponsor. The question stays in my head, and it comes to the surface when my Higher Power knows I need help. Seven women received many wise suggestions from Sylvia as our sponsor or as our friend. We united in our grief to have an online memorial, a memorial on Zoom, and a memorial published in the June ESSAY magazine. Sylvia passed away in October 2024. One of the women interviewed me and Sylvia’s former sponsees and friends to paint a picture of her gifts of experience, strength, and hope. 

We bounced ideas around to reach the goal of articles that honored Sylvia as a pioneer in the fellowship. One of the gifts I received in the process of memorializing her with my program sisters was how much love, kindness, and patience we showed towards each other. I felt so much prayer coming from all the women working together. Sylvia is smiling as she watches over all of us working the Steps regarding her passing. I wish we were all close enough to do a group hug. 

There have been lots of miracles during this process; I’m grateful to say. I am honored to be with SA sisters who cherish Sylvia’s legacy.