Written by, Carol M.

First, the good news. The second yard sale we had (this time at my house) on the weekend of April 13 and 14 [1991], was a rousing financial success. We brought in $788.10 through our own contributions (this time from the shirts off our backs, not to mention the junk from our storage areas) and the sodas left from the last party. (Ice cold, 50 cents a piece! Get ‘em while they last.)

Next, the even better news. The yard sales was a two day, very enjoyable, social event. We had told members, “if you’re looking for something to do, come on out,” and they did. There were enough of us that the “work” was so well distributed we mostly sat around and just had a good time. Other members had enough energy to play with the frisbees and various balls. Some checked out the jigsaw puzzles. (We had to make sure all the pieces were there!) Some of us just sat and talked, warming ourselves in the sun, or cooling ourselves in the shade. We missed those of you that didn’t make it, and you missed a lot of fun. 

One of the things I hear so often from MA members who have “graduated” to A.A. (who would have died before going to an A.A. meeting to start their sobriety) is that we don’t have enough social events in MA. Well we’re a new 12-Step program and these things take time. They also take involvement. (A little commitment doesn’t hurt either.) I’ll bet there were a lot of our members who stayed home, and isolated, and didn’t have a very good time, the very same weekend we were having so much fun. The Yard Sale at Tina’s house was as much fun a couple of months ago. So, when you hear something is happening in MA and the flyers say “Come on out,” do so. Come on out and have some fellowship, and participate in your own recovery, you might like it!

By the way, very special thanks to Dave K. and Sanford for the morning set-ups, Kari for pricing and cashiering, and Andrew for selling. Thanks to everyone else for all kinds of help, all day, both days. We are a bunch of walking miracles!

Published in A New Leaf – May 1991