I wanted to take a moment to share my hopes and intentions for this newsletter with you. My vision is for it to become a meaningful part of our Alcoholics Anonymous community—a place where we can all find stories, jokes, updates on upcoming events, and anything else that helps us stay connected and engaged with one another.

After speaking with a few folks who were around when the original email first started, I learned it began as a way to support a member who was in the hospital and didn’t want visitors. One caring friend kept us all informed about his condition through email updates. Over time, those emails grew into a newsletter filled with information from our district, area, and even the Central Office in New York—bringing us together and helping our community stay strong.

Recently, some kind members forwarded me some of those old emails so I could see the variety of content they included. While I may not be as well connected locally in Corpus Christi as the original writer, I truly believe that together, we can create something wonderful. I invite each of you to participate—please share anything you think might support or inspire our fellowship. It could be about an upcoming AA birthday, details about your group’s birthday night, or information about a speaker you’re excited to welcome so that others might join in and listen. I would love to celebrate landmarks with everyone. These are the kinds of things that keep our bonds strong and remind us how much we need one another to live happy, joyous, and free lives.

Just tonight, at a meeting called Happy Hour, I was reminded of all the things my sponsor did for me when I was new. He brought me to conventions, encouraged me to join book studies, and suggested I take a commitment in my home group. Over time, I made coffee at meetings, chaired meetings regularly, and served as the literature representative, and attended men’s groups. I had the chance to share my experience, strength, and hope with newcomers at meetings in treatment centers and hospitals.

Each of these experiences, big and small, helped me grow and taught me why AA is so vital, so important, and so transformative—not just in my own life, but in the lives of everyone it touches. It didn’t all happen at once, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but every step helped shape me and gave me the gifts of sobriety and connection.

I am grateful to be part of this journey with you all. Please consider sharing your news, stories, and celebrations so our newsletter can continue to be a source of strength and unity for everyone in our AA family.

With gratitude and fellowship, Nathan K.