The holidays are upon us, that magical time of the year when friends and family come together. The joy that is to be found in the eyes of kids receiving their gifts. The smiles from friendships remembered, re-kindled, shared. The warmth that is found in so many of our lives, our hearts.
Yet, the holidays aren’t all that joyous for those that are struggling with their own challenges. Lack of homes, food, health, human understanding. The absence of lost friends, family. The loss to death and disease, mental health challenges – just the normal scourges of our human species.
That is where this special gift we possess, this magical invention, this contraption we have cobbled together from so many hopes, so many dreams, so many wishes – this wondrous movement that we call Rotary becomes so very necessary. We don’t just celebrate our good fortunes, and we certainly don’t ignore those that just might need our help, nor should we ignore our fellow members. We’re Rotarians. We are born to help.
I submit that there is no finer gift than that which has been given to each and every Rotarian, this gift of Rotary that we hold in our hearts and our hands. Do you really want to know the special joy of the season? Share Rotary with others so they may come to love Rotary as we do. Better – share Rotary with others that may need what we do for themselves. Give until it hurts so much you’re bursting with joy and tears of gratitude because we are the ones that are able to give. And because we are the ones who have the honor and joy of giving.
What do I wish for this year? I wish for Rotary to be shared far more with others who can help us help others. I wish for Rotary to be bigger so we can give more of ourselves and our treasures to those that really need us and our help. I wish that we are all able to share our Time, Talent and Treasure with those about to become Rotarians and with those that need what Rotary does for our world.
And I hope, for each and every one of you a new year filled with joy, and wonder, love, mercy, grace and Peace on Earth, Goodwill To Mankind. I am a Rotarian, so I don’t think that’s too much to ask for. Not if we put our Hope in Action and Share the Magic of Rotary.