07/14/2026
🕊️ In Loving Memory of Mattie L. 🕊️
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our friend and fellow member, Mattie L.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mattie's family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched. His passing has affected many of us, and it is natural that each of us will grieve in our own way.
As alcoholics in recovery, we live with a difficult truth found throughout the Big Book: alcoholism is a life-threatening illness. Every day that we wake up sober is a gift. Every meeting we attend, every phone call we make, every conversation with a sponsor, and every act of service matters.
When someone in our Fellowship passes away, it is heartbreaking regardless of the circumstances. Those who die with long-term sobriety leave us an example of how recovery can transform a life. Those who lose the battle with alcoholism remind us how powerful this disease truly is. Both leave us with lessons that can strengthen our own recovery.
Over the years, I've had to say goodbye to many friends and family members in recovery. It never gets easier. What I have learned is that grief doesn't have to separate us—it can bring us closer together if we are willing to talk about it.
If you're hurting today, please don't isolate.
Call your sponsor.
Call another alcoholic.
Go to a meeting.
Pray.
Write an inventory if fear, resentment, confusion, or anger begins to take hold.
Talk it through before making any major decisions about your recovery.
One of the greatest gifts my sponsor, Kathy K., has given me is this simple commitment: before walking away from sponsorship, a home group, or Alcoholics Anonymous, reach out, pray, and do an inventory first.
I'm grateful I followed that suggestion. Over the years, I've worked through fears and resentments involving sponsors, home groups, and fellow members. Had I left in those moments, I might not be here today. Instead, I stayed, talked it through, made amends where needed, found forgiveness, and continued growing in recovery.
Our recent Group Inventory reminded us how important it is to speak directly with one another, to listen with compassion, and to work through our differences rather than walking away. That may be one of the greatest ways we can honor Mattie's memory.
This Saturday, Alcoholics Together will hold a special Memorial & Remembrance Speaker Meeting for Mattie L. and for all those who have been affected by the loss of someone in the Fellowship.
Whether you are grieving the loss of Mattie, a sponsor, a sponsee, a family member, or another friend in recovery, you are welcome.
Let's come together to share our experience, strength, and hope, support one another, and recommit ourselves to carrying the message to the next alcoholic who still suffers.
"We alcoholics see that we must work together and hang together, else most of us will finally die alone."
— Alcoholics Anonymous, Appendix I, p. 561
One Day at a Time. Together, we recover. ❤️