Fellowship

Before I get into this post, I just want to apologize to my readers for the late response. I've been waiting this long to post for a couple reasons. One being that I wanted to end my history story closer to the date of my initiation and two because there was an issue with my DSL line so I had limited access to the Internet (ie: I really didn't want to have to do a blog post on my blackberry) So that being said "I'm Sorry" and without further ado ill get into this!

After hearing that my ballot was affirmative I was pleasantly surprised that the members of the lodge started to welcome me in to readily. Not that I was surprised at being welcome, but that out of the blue, people I hadn't met would come up to me in introduce themselves.

One such incident comes to mind readily. One evening after work I had to run to the grocery store for some buns. I had my young daughter with me because she likes shopping with her dad (Usually ends up in a treat for her) When we walked into the store a man walked up out of the blue and introduced himself to me, told me he was a member of the lodge, that he was excited to have me join and was looking forward to getting to know me. He asked me about my daughter, talked a little with her (She's not even 2) and we parted ways. I had always known the Masons were good, friendly people, but was still pleasantly surprised at how readily this man approached me and talked to me, and how genuinely excited he was to have me become a member. Not that I needed more affirmation of my decision to petition, but I left this parting even happier with the decision. It's so hard in today's society to find people so willing to extend an olive branch, and it totally excites me that I get to become a part of a fraternity that, that is one of its core practices; the olive branch of brotherhood.

The service award night quickly came, and the W.M of the lodge came over to pick me and my wife up. The evening was fantastic! I got to meet a good portion of the brethren and all of them were extremely excited about meeting me and having my upcoming initiation (though some of them that were going to have parts jokingly cursed me for making them brush up on their work) We got to have a wonderful meal and enjoy the fellowship of the brothers and their families.

I was amazed at the dedication of the brothers of the lodge. One member (who hadn't attended lodge for 25 years, age related) but kept his dues current, received his 65 year service pin. He was initiated into the very lodge we were in, in 1945! I was so touched by the fact that even though he hadn't attended lodge for 25 years, Freemasonry meant enough to him that he kept his membership up to date.

Needless to say, I am sitting here exactly one week from my initiation, (this time next week I will officially be able to be called a brother) Totally excited for what the future has in store. Over the last two months, I've been allowed to share a story with you all that I hold dear to my heart, so I would like to thank you all for listening to me. I'm all caught up to the present day, and so the next post you will get from me will be next week after I knock at the gate. Thanks again and good night!