“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heavens.”
I must admit that my first exposure to this beautiful quote from Ecclesiastes did not come from reading the Bible, but from listening to The Byrds sing “Turn, Turn, Turn.” As a teenager of the 60s, those words became my mantra, and the closing added lyrics of “A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late” became my tearful plea as I watched my friends leave for Vietnam.
The song and the decade that followed shaped my life in untold ways. I was a little hippie chick who did well in school, listened to my parents, went to Mass every Sunday, and obeyed the rules (well, most of the time). Deep inside of me I knew the importance of giving back to a world where I was blessed to live in our country, born into a hardworking middle-class family that didn’t always have a lot extra with five children at home, but who always had enough. We didn’t travel – my parents worked too much – but I was a voracious reader who dreamed of great adventures. As a journalism major I was quite certain I would write the story that would open everyone’s eyes and bring an end to the conflict in Vietnam – ahh, the naiveté’ of youth!
In 1999, Michael and I were fortunate enough to be introduced to Rotary by our dear friend, the late Chuck Womack of The Houston Rotary Club. I was pretty intimidated by the sight of 400 Rotarians in dark business suits having lunch at The Junior League. I owned a little bookkeeping service – these men were the titans of business in Houston. But the first time I heard “The Four Way Test” recited, I was hooked on this organization that promotes world peace and understanding and a better life for all people everywhere. I will always believe Rotary is the finest service club in the world.
In 2000, we moved north and I found The RC of Lake Conroe, then meeting aboard the Southern Empress Paddle Boat, where everyone asked Sergeant at Arms Larry Eichenbaum for “permission to come aboard sir.” I had found a home; I knew it right away.Â
A short two years later, under the guidance of then Courier Editor Jim Fredricks and my Rotary sponsor at RCLC, the late Alfred Anderson, “A Rotary Moment” and The Club News Page was born. It has been a wild and wonderful ride for 21 years and 3 months and I have enjoyed each and every moment on this page. I have kept every Monday’s paper in boxes in my office closet. Together, we have celebrated Rotary events large and small, told the stories of high school kids in RYLA, Interact and Rotary Youth Exchange, introduced the community to Memory Park and oh so much more.
Along the way, we have grieved the loss of some really amazing Rotarians – Perry Wilson, Mike Ogg, Alfred Anderson, Linda Ricketts, Wayne Hickman and Chuck Mason, to name just a few.
But now the time has come for me to move on – to everything there is a season. The Rotary clubs will rotate reporting the news, and I know they will do a fine job. I hope you will miss me a little bit – I know I will miss you. I carry with me so many memories and friendships made as a result of this volunteer gig I have loved so much – and THAT is A Beautiful Thing.Â
