ICAA 2025 Vancouver BC

I am grateful to be alive.  I’ve been attending the International Conference of AA 2025 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place.  

I rode my Harley down Thursday to register.  It was great seeing Andrew and Barb.  Beautiful setting.  Vancouver Harbour near Stanley Park where I’d moored my liveaboard sailboat off and on over the years.  The Harbor Air float planes were taking off and landing.  A whole lot of joyful sober people.  I’d parked in the Convention Centre West underground and joined the throngs.  Sunshine and gratitude.  I was able to get registered and claim my badge at BC Place. Mission accomplished.  I was a part of.  

Madeleine had texted me the time and place of the cyber docs meetings.  She’d climbed the Grouse Grind.  Something we did 25 years ago. Amazing person.   I’m feeling all the traumatized arthritis of acquired injuries of multiple crashes, planes, motorcycle, cars and trucks.  I’m thankful to be mobile and still slowly recovering from the fall and resentment in Edinburgh.  

It was so good to be among Cyberdocs in the flesh,  Dave of Akron and others,  Dave of Brandon. Herb and his wife.  I knew the faces and the hearts.  Met Wendy.  Language of the hearts,  People sharing experience, strength and hope.  I’m amazed that the time has passed. I’m still practicing spiritual principle.  There’s 40,000 to 50,000 here.  

I enjoyed the meetings in the morning.  Enjoyed sharing but mostly listening.  Storytelling.  The oldest communications of hope.  Design for living,  What worked for me.  Suggestions.  Kindness.  Singleness of purpose.  Helping the alcoholic who still suffers.  Service is filling a chair as I’ve done.,

Laura joined me at night for the BC Place opening ceremony with the Delta Police Band playing Paul McCartney’s song on bagpipes,  Shawn sang Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah,  The natives drummed and danced.  There were announcements and three speakers shared their journey into and out of alcoholism.  A black Muslim lesbian, a Finish banker and a Canadian Métis hair stylist.  I teared up listening to the horror and resilience.  Then the gratitude.  The serenity prarer and cheers.  The flag ceremony with presentations from so many countries.  Canada and USA sharing the stage.  A marvellous time.  

It was good to be sober driving home and wondering about what could have been and what a glorious path this journey has taken thanks to joining the ‘last club on the block’.  We cleaned up nicely tonight.  

Thank you God.  Thank you Higher Poweer.