One time I was in a small, intimate AA meeting in California and a middle-aged woman dressed in sweats and no makeup took a turn speaking. In a beautiful Southern drawl, she said something like, “I am totally ashamed and embarrassed to be seen like this today. My sponser told me to do it, because I need to learn that people will love and accept me even without my makeup. And I agree, painful as this is!” I felt sympathy for her yet proud of her bravery, but I didn’t really get it. Finally, thanks to this article, I do. Thanks, Bebe!