My name is Pat, and I'm an alcoholic.

While on duty today, I observed an elderly man at the beach slowly walking along the sand while listening to his metal detector. As he strode near, my curiosity peaked, as I have always wanted one of those newfangled metal detectors. When this gentleman got closer to me, our eyes met. Even though he was wearing a headset, I asked him what kind of items he found while using this contraption. Pleased with my obvious enthusiasm, he retrieved a few very old coins from his pocket and displayed them proudly. As I looked on in awe, and before I realized what I was doing, I reached into my uniform pocket, grasped my AA medallion, handed it to this man and asked what it would sound like through his headset. He placed my medallion in his aged palm and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Looking directly into my eyes he asked, "You have 8 years?" "Uh, yes....," I replied. "I have 23 years," the elderly man quietly added. We shook hands several times. We told our stories. And we smiled continuously. I have been working at this resort for an entire year and have not met one other AA'er here. Now I have. And I saw God today ... in the form of yet another precious member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

- Pat