A friend and I were chatting when her phone rang. 

"Sorry, I have to get this." I busied myself while she had a two minute conversation, trying not to listen.

After she hung up she apologized for the interruption. 

"One of the people I am sponsoring."

One of? 

"How many do you sponsor?" I knew she was very involved in twelve steps. 

"Three, now. But I have had five."

"And you talk with them every day?"

She smiled. "Yup." 

"How long does it go on?"

She thought about it. "Some I have had for years. Others, only eighteen months."

I was floored. What an incredible way to serve others, to literally be on call every day for years. While I have no idea if this is the norm or extraordinary in the world of recovery, it still strikes me as a stellar example of generosity. Not only that, recognition of any kind is moot because of anonymity. She seemed uninterested in my sense of amazement. It was not about rewards.

Mentoring in marriage is a far smaller commitment. An hour a month is the benchmark, and is more about supporting them on their path than doing the pedaling for them.

Yet even as I describe its meager requirements I am aware that I have been lax. One of my mentee couples deserves a phone call.