Happy Holidays from Perry Lodge

 

Thanksgiving is over and the turkey leftovers have been eaten or left to the garbage disposal. The time of anxious shopping and rushing around is upon us once again.

Christmas lights are everywhere. The occasional, and beautiful falling snow. Christmas music is playing in the stores and restaurants. The Salvation Army with their ringing bells and red kettles. Santa in the parade, the mall...and soon to be in your house. Hot cocoa and Christmas trees. It's truly a season of magic.

Those of us who are parents, especially of young children, love the look they get on their faces when they see Santa in the parade or at the mall, or the excitement they get on Christmas morning as they rush into the living room to find their presents  underneath the tree. You can see the light in their eyes as they tear the wrapping paper off the gifts just waiting to see what's inside. If you're a spouse, or have a partner, just watching him or her open that special, perfect gift that you actually spent the time to searching for makes your heart flutter. It kinda brings back that magic for you, even for just a moment, doesn't it?

As my wife and I stood on the sidewalk with my two children watching our town's parade last night, there was a fellow lodge brother across the street and another brother a little further down. Two Masonic lodges were represented in the parade along with various charities, organizations and businesses who exist to help people.

I mentioned the Salvation Army. I think they tend to be one that we are most familiar with come the holiday season.  Every year they donate money, clothing and food to needy people and families that have little to nothing.

Anyone that has worked in the medical field, or counseling, can tell you that for some people the holidays are the hardest parts of the year. Sometimes it's because a loved one died close to Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's. Or, it could be that it's just too lonely now since that loved one has passed away.  When you see the van from the local retirement home or nursing home drive through the parade and the people inside are smiling and waving, make sure you smile and wave back. This could be one of their favorite things to do.

All too often as human beings we find ourselves rushing through life, and through the year, from day to day paying bills and making money. And before long, that becomes our life. Then, once the holidays hit, it's hard to truly slow down and enjoy them so it just becomes a shift from one excuse to another. Instead it's a different rush. We're working overtime so we can buy more gifts. We don't have time to stop and say 'hi' while we're shopping because we  have too many gifts to buy and too many stores yet. And so the trend continues.

Wow! That took a quick turn from decorations to Sunday morning sermon.

So what's the point? Definitely not to ruin the idea of celebrating. The point is maybe consider adding onto your celebration. I know, 'Add more to my already busy schedule?' It's not much. I promise. If you don't already, drop some money into the red kettle the next time to walk into a store where you see one. Maybe consider caroling to some people who could use some Christmas cheer, or send out some cards or a letter to let someone know you are thinking about them. 

As we said earlier, the holidays can be very difficult for some people, especially for elderly people who either can't get out, or who have lost their spouse.

Believe me. I'm a full-time working husband, father and Mason. I also have multiple things that I do on the side. I understand what it means to get busy, distracted, rushed and, yes, sometimes frustrated - especially around the holidays. It's in times like this that I  have to slow myself down and realize that my family, and doing things for others, is what's most important. Easy right?

With Christmas just a couple weeks away, take some time to find something to do with your family - go to a holiday event, look for Christmas lights, go ice skating, go out for a family dinner.

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is one of the best-selling classic novels, and now best-selling Christmas movies of all time. I think one of the best lines from that story that may apply here is the conversation between Scrooge and Jacob Marley.

Scrooge to Marley's Ghost: But you were always a good man of business.

Jacob Marley: Business? Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business. Charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence all my business.

 Hopefully we never get caught in the trap of thinking that just because they aren't our children, or parents, or siblings that we should just ignore them and continue on our way. Every day Scrooge would pass those in need without even a care, or even a glance. The poorhouses, the prisons and the factories were for the poor. He refused to give in order to better their situation.

Giving isn't just acknowledged by money, although that is one way, yes. The true spirit of Christmas is the giving of one's time, a smile, a simple "how are you?", or a homemade pie. Not just in the week or two before Christmas, but all year long. And if you haven't watched A Christmas Carol I highly recommend you watch it, especially as a family movie night.

From Perry Lodge No. 185 in Salem, Ohio

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

20 Years Later; We Still Remember

These are words that we have heard or said so many times that their meaning and impact is nearly forgotten. For many of us these words became popular not long after September 11, 2001. As a nation we made the solemn vow that We Will Never Forget. We would never forget the tragedy. Never forget the fear and discouragement we all felt. Never forget the 2,977 civilians, public safety and military that lost their lives that horrible day. But, unfortunately, an idea we don't often include in the motto Never Forget is the promise to always remember and strive for the unity that we had shortly after September 11th.

From around the country people arrived in New York City in an attempt to somehow help in the midst of all the devastation. Fire Departments, EMS Departments, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and many more sent in volunteers to help. Whether it was searching for people who were missing or serving food to the rescue workers, a compassion for their fellow man was already being shown on the night of 9/11.

September 12th saw a new day in the United States. Schools made sure the day was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Pictures flooded the media of children and parents walking the streets waving flags. A new sense of patriotism arose as thousands of young men and women felt it was their duty to join the service in defense of our country. And out of it all, nobody cared if you were black or white, Christian or Atheist, Republican or Democrat. We were all Americans. As Mr. David Beamer has said multiple times, we need to remember that unity and work to bring it back.

Since 9/11/01 we've gone from Republican to Democrat, back to Republican then back to Democrat. We saw protests throughout the country and statues torn down. We've seen riots in the streets. And we have seen more division over the previous few years than possibly in all of American history. Families and friends have turned against each other over disagreements on political and moral issues. Where do we draw the line?

Of course there will always be disagreements over religion, politics, moral issues and personal ethics. But, one thing the United States was founded on, and has become known for, is that we as Americans can disagree on every possible issue and still be Americans. The Declaration of Independence tells us that each person has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. How each of us strives to live out those tenants that our Founding Fathers agreed should be available to each and every human being is up to every one of us.

In a world, and country, where we struggle to understand another's views or opinions, remember we are all individuals, which gives us the right and privilege to have our own ideas. But, it never gives us the right to hate, disregard, mistreat or disrespect any fellow human being because they hold a different philosophy than our own.

Show tolerance to those you disagree with. Show kindness to those around you. Give forgiveness whether or not you think someone deserves it. Strengthen friendships. Build relationships. Reach out to those who are struggling in life. Hold onto your family and friends because you never know what day will be your, or their last. If those who died on September 11, 2001 could speak to us now I believe this is what they would tell us.

In Freemasonry we have what we refer to as the three tenants of our profession - Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. These are three factors that should help every Mason throughout life as they make decisions in personal relationships and in business. Yet, they are ideas that every individual can, and should, practice in their own lives. Even when we don't understand why someone is the way they are, show love. Show compassion and give assistance as much as you can to those who need it. And in truth, no matter our religious beliefs, we all understand that a human being is unique. Everyone wants, and deserves, to be treated as unique.

As we arrive at the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001, let us Never Forget...the rescue workers, the civilians who volunteered their time to serve, the thousands that lost their lives that day and the unity that came out of tragedy.

So, 20 Years later, hopefully we can say We Remember and We Will Never Forget. If we could come together after such a horrific day, then surely we can recognize that we are a country of many different religions, political views and backgrounds. And through all that we are currently facing, may God help us find "unity in diversity".