MEANING: The chip holder is a Recovery Symbol (the circle within the triangle) over the word Serenity, reminding you of the Serenity Prayer. Your Anniversary or Birthday Chip, will fit into the circle part of the recovery sign...it has a small hole drilled in the back so you can push it out when it is time to put your next one it, God willing.
SERENITY PRAYER: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
It is common practice in many AA groups to award chips, medallions or other mementos as a reminder of the importance of sobriety. The celebration of birthdays came from the Oxford Group where they celebrated the anniversary of their spiritual rebirth. People in early A.A. chose the anniversary of the date of their last drink. Sister lgnatia, the nun who helped Dr. Bob get the hospitalization program started at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron was the first person to use medallions in Alcoholics Anonymous. She gave the drunks who were leaving St. Thomas after a five day dry out a Sacred Heart Medallion and instructed them that the acceptance of the medallion signified a commitment to God, to A.A. and to recovery and that if they were going to drink, they had a responsibility to return the medallion to her before drinking. For more information on the history of chips...visit http://westbalto.a-1associates.com/LINKS/Chips.htm
THE CARVING: Our carvings are single pieces of western red cedar, designed and carved to be wall hangings. Each piece is finished with a blend of clear oils that brings out the natural color of the wood. For more information on the process of creation, please see my profile.
SIZE: The last picture has the piece on a quilting board, lined up on the 1 inch marks. So subtract 1 inch from the height and width for the stock size. Measurements may vary slightly from piece to piece.
