Though she drank for only five years during her 30's, Kristy's alcoholism surfaced quickly. By the time she found AA, her descent to the bottom had been both swift and severe. Trying to justify, then hide her alcoholism from her husband, kids, and employer only revealed to them how much worse Kristy’s drinking had actually become. She finally ran out of excuses, suffering physical and emotional depletion and began a vigorous AA program in 2018, Getting a sponsor, working the steps, and attending daily meetings drew her towards the center of the Program That early work portended two crises in her early sobriety that pulled her from the center to the outskirts of AA. First, her husband suffered a major stroke and she became his primary caregiver. Fortunately, the time she invested in meeting and getting to know others in the Program was clearly realized when  her newfound AA friends gathered around to help pull her through. Then in early 2020, Kristy was diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer which left her without use of her legs. Complicating the already horrendous situation was a pandemic that prevented Kristy from being able to have visitors during the four months she was in the hospital undergoing intensive cancer treatment. Fortunately, she was able to connect with her home groups via Zoom. All of her fellow AAs were able to support her on a daily basis with our own experience, strength, and hope. Today, with 3½ years of sobriety, Kristy is on the mend, learning how to live life without the use of her legs. To be sure, her tragedies during early sobriety, and staying sober through them are informative, valuable, and inspirational to those she touches. Zoom had a bad day during my interview with Kristy, so her audio is less than stellar. But her message of hope, perseverance, and commitment comes through loud and clear. So pull up a seat for the next 60 minutes and listen to inspirational words of my AA sister on today’s AA Recovery Interviews podcast, Kristy M. [This is an encore of Episode 52, originally released November 17, 2021]. If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series and my Big Book podcast, have a listen to Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio. I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism.” This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. -Howard L.]