Dear Sarah,

It's taken a few years
to get ready to write you.
I had a few more fourth steps
to get through, more private
than the ones you and I did
when I came to your city.
I learned from those
restaurants that my ideas
of a heart-to-heart
didn't have to happen
for me to benefit from
admitting to you and God
the nature of my wrongs.
I'm sorry you didn't come
when we agreed
to get together that spring.
I talked to your friend there.
She said at the last minute
you chose not to come.
My heart hurt but I was busy
becoming involved in assembly
that very first time.
I've been to two a year
every year since then.
That would make thirteen.
I should have reported to you
after that, but I didn't...until now.
It took me this long to understand
how you sponsored me
is none of my business.
That my recovery is my job.
And I learned a great deal
from your sponsorship
about how to sponsor.