If I had any doubts about the importance of earth people in my recovery, they were completely removed through a recent experience.

As many of you know, I went to Miami to my home group to receive my 3 year medallion last week. On the night I was scheduled to go to the group’s Birthday Night, my husband (an earth person, “normie”, non-alcoholic) called me to say congratulations and that he was proud of me. While he has supported me lovingly throughout these last three years, his words took on special value for me this time.

The woman I was staying with had picked up a 40 year medallion in September. She had 35 years of continuous sobriety before her husband passed away 5 years ago. She told me that not once during those 35 years did her husband ever offer her congratulations or say that he was proud of her sobriety. Suddenly, my husband’s words meant so much more.

It occurred to me that we alkies spend a lot of time with each other in an effort to understand and help each other -- how often do we consider the perceptions of the earth people who support us? Sometimes, our spouse or significant other can feel threatened by the “new” person we’ve become, but if they are truly supportive, do we show our appreciation? How has our transformation affected them?

Another woman said in a meeting that she was approaching one year of sobriety, and that her husband (non-alcoholic) wanted to celebrate by taking her out to dinner and giving her a gift. She felt uncomfortable about that -- didn’t feel she deserved it. I think many of us can relate to that, but this is the way her husband chose to acknowledge her accomplishment and to “thank” her for her sobriety.

Sometimes the best thing we can do for the earth people in our lives is to stay sober and continue to practice the principles we learn in recovery in all our affairs. And sometimes, we need to remember that our newfound life has a profound impact on the earth people around us -- we continue to learn from them. All of the earth people in my life provide great opportunities to learn and grow spiritually , whether through an exercise of humility or a seeming exercise in futility.

Be sure to add the earth people in your life to your gratitude list, and appreciate them for what they bring you.