Carrying the Message Onward

living recovery service carrying the message The Saturday Evening Post brought it to us In Akron, two men found a way To help one another each day; What began with a call Became hope for us all— And we carry that ray. The Book gave language to pain, And a path through the rain; When one story is shared, And hope is prepared— The message travels again. Records reflect recovery service And walk out their heart’s talk for us Words and pics and voices Records reflect recovery service And walk out their heart’s talk for us Words and pics and voices Unity stood watch over flame, So all persons know the name; With service and trust, And a conscience held just, We flourished without fame. Some serve with a meeting or chair, Some answer a new person’s prayer; Some preserve what was said, So the next one is led— We carry the message with care. Recovery service is a call, Is sharing a message in a hall; We preserve what was said, So the next one is led, And the message keeps reaching out. Records reflect recovery service And walk out our heart’s talk Words and pics and voices We carry the message on It’s more than a room, Or records consigned to the gloom; It keeps voices alive, Helps the message survive, And makes room for tomorrow to bloom. In twenty-one, boxes sprawled, With stories still waiting to call; We answered with care, And brought order there, To honor and welcome them all. By twenty-six, each box had a place, The label could guide us with grace; The shelves stood in line, The stories could shine, And sharing carried another line. On paper, or object, or record, We tell the story in order In backups and care, Its voice will be there, And tomorrow can share again. In a box, table, banner, and tale, We carry the past down the trail; At a meeting or show, New members can know How the message has traveled. The rooms transform, tools renew, And the servants may change too; Yet each generation Can carry the foundation— And pass on the message anew. Sharing reflects recovery service And walks out their heart’s for us Words and pics and voices We carry the message on