God in a Swimming Pool?

This episode turned out to be the start of some of the best days in my life. This memory came to me, this morning as I was reading my daughter's on-line blog. She talked about Europe, being alone, being scared and eventually getting a little closer to the Big Guy who is also known as God to many people.

I have felt the presence of God at the strangest of times and more times than not, I am usually not in a church or a religious environment. This what happened to me ... I just seem to be just there; on a balcony in Italy watching my wife splashing around, having fun with 2 good looking guys in the hotel's gorgeous swimming pool.

We were in Sorrento, Italy. It was hot and muggy. I decided to spend some time on my own and I was actually thinking about trying to find a 12 Step meeting in Naples. For this reason, "A" and I decided to spend the day apart and catch up that afternoon at the hotel. To make a long story short, I found a location for the meeting, but knew I wouldn't have enough time to travel to Naples by train, taxi and then return in time for supper that evening. I therefore decided to spend a couple of hours in Sorrento, just sitting in the HOT Italian sun and watching Italians and vacationers. It was great; very calming and a chance to mediate with God. I was thinking about how lucky I was.

My wife actually took me on this trip and I was able to stay sober in a country were wine was more available than water. When we checked into the hotel room the night before, the tour guide gave us a great corner room with an awesome balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the hotel's swimming pool. That evening as I sat on the balcony I began to "understand serenity and know peace" as it states in the 12 Promises of the Big Book.

That was last night; it was now time time to head back to the hotel and meet "A". I had to buy about 10 litres of water, take the train and walk up the steep hill to the hotel room. I was looking forward to seeing how "A"'s day had been. Fun I hoped. I got into the room and no "A". I waited for awhile, relaxed and tried to relax. I hoped she was OK. It must have been about half and hour, no "A", but I thought I heard her voice and she was laughing. I looked and SAW her in the pool; 2 guys and obviously having fun. My serenity instantly disappeared and it was replaced with another emotion ... maybe you can guess?

I wasn't happy and when I went to the pool to do a little "impartial fact finding". My "A" sensed that my serenity was gone ... maybe on its own holiday. She came to the side of the pool and asked me to come and say hi to a couple of her new friends, Father Joe and Father Peter. They were newly ordained priests from Toronto. I didn't believe this story at first. However, when Father Peter displayed his passport picture to me, he was wearing his cassock and cleric collar. It seemed unlikely to me that some guy would have gone through all that to make a statement.

Once my jealously disappeared, I truly enjoyed their company. We began very good friends and talked about God, my sobriety and their beliefs. I found it interesting to hear 2 guys talk about their quest to know and understand God. It was no different than mine.

That day, I learnt something very special; if I am patient and opened minded (even just a little bit), I can get to know the Big Guy in very strange ways.

We had a great vacation. Thanks for taking me "A".