Today I had to do the right thing. About a year and half ago I guy I used to call Redneck Willy came into AA. He had been popped for a DWI and decided it was time to stop. A court order is what brought me in, he came in before his case went to court. He was a rough-edged loudmouth hillbilly back then who talked incessantly about fishing and hunting. He was an aquaintance during my final drinking days. At least he said he was, I didn't remeber him. He latched right onto me as his new buddy in the rooms and I thought he was truly annoying.

Times change, people change. The farther Willy got away from his last drink the more he changed. He got quieter. He got cleaner. Sanity returned to him slowly. He told everyone the reason he knew he could get sober was because a crazy guy like me had gotten sober. He told me how much he respected me and admired me. I gave him my Big Book, hell I must have a half dozen of them. Then he asked me to be his sponsor and I accepted.

About a month or so ago I was saying a morning prayer and asked God for guidance and help to get through the slow adventure our home addition has become. In return I promised to always help anyone who asked for help from that point foward. That night Willy asked me if I would go to court with him when his DWI case came up. He had been granted an automatic appeal pending a lawsuit against the new device that the police were using to determine BAL. My first thought was "Damn! God was listening this morning and he's calling me on it." But then I knew it was the right thing to do and I said yes.
I went with Willy today and spoke with his lawyer. The Judge gave Willy the minimum, but Willy had pled guilty to begin with. And he was okay with it. Both Willy and his wife thanked me for being there.

He never had a thought of a drink. He said to me today that a day like today is why he never wants to drink again. The crazy redneck has become a good friend and will do anything for me. He is a union carpenter and has offered to help me fix anything around the house. He can also fix anything mechanical. He fixed my lawn mower for free. I know I did the right thing today, and I guess that is one of the reasons that Willy respects me so much.