A New Chapter

I attended my first 'normal' Lodge meeting last night

Last night found me at William H. Upton Naval and Military Lodge. It was my first ‘normal’ Lodge meeting since stepping down as Grand Master, and my first Lodge meeting as neither a Lodge or Grand Lodge Officer in over ten years.

I did attend a Lodge meeting last week as well, but as it was specifically oriented to honor past District Deputies and Past Grand Masters, I can’t count it as a normal meeting.

Lots of people have asked me what I plan on doing now that my term has ended, and I’ve joked that I intend to: Sit in the North; Complain constantly; Yell out prompts that are neither needed nor wanted; and Make certain that those prompts are composed of incorrect words.

That joking aside though, I do have plans. My plan is to enjoy Freemasonry.

There is very little better than sharing a good meal with friends and Brothers. Enjoying the familiar cadence of our ritual. Hearing an interesting perspective on some aspect of our Ancient Craft, and lifting a glass in toast afterwards. These simple things are what make Freemasonry great, and these are the things I plan on spending the next decades enjoying.

I’ve spent the last week and a half reflecting a great deal about my time as Worshipful Master, District Deputy, Grand Lodge Officer, and Grand Master. I know what drove me forward in those endeavors, know what I most enjoyed about them.

It was the Brothers.

The good and great men that I had an opportunity to meet, get to know, and learn from.

Like all Masonic journeys, mine began small. I met the men of my Lodge, got to know them and some men from surrounding Lodges. Then I moved across the state and got to know some more men, men who eventually chose me to lead them. From there I had an opportunity to get to know the active Masons across three counties, and soon enough I was in a position to get to know men from every big city, small town, and wide spot in the road of this beautiful state. Men whom I would have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise, a great many of whom I consider friends. I’ve even been fortunate enough to get to know great Masons from across our country and around the world. These friendships are a true treasure of life.

And ultimately, that is what Freemasonry comes down to. Good men, striving to become better men, all while building bonds of fellowship together. It is this that I plan on enjoying for decades to come. And enjoy it I shall, for I no longer have the responsibility of holding it all together.

The sun finally came out in Western Washington yesterday. I was starting to fear that our dismal rains would never end. It seems that it’s finally time to call my handyman, to have him help me set up the grills and smokers, for BBQ time is here. Another wonderful aspect of Freemasonry that I’ve missed, because the past few years have found me on the road far too many weekends. There is little better than a BBQ with friends from the Lodge, something I’ve been looking forward to for a very long time now.

These too, and events like them, also manifest the essence of Freemasonry.

I’ve got our Standard Work open on my desk. Last week my Worshipful Master shot me an email. It went something like: “Hey man, now that you don’t have anything to do, how about you take a part in our upcoming Degree.” Well, I haven’t meaningfully participated in a Degree in quite some time, so I jumped at the chance. Alas though, I recognize my limitations. I’ve been making up my own ritual work for a year now, all of it Ample Form, as Grand Masters are wont to do, so I figure some study is in order, for there is nothing more impactful on a new Mason than providing a superb Degree experience.

I’ll talk to that candidate about the Purple of the Fraternity, remind him that the most important honor is the White Lambskin we provide him, for that Lambskin is what unites us all. It is an important message, probably a message I am best positioned to give.

Freemasonry is brotherhood. The greatest brotherhood that has ever existed in our world’s long history.

So what do I intend to do now that I’m no longer Grand Master? I intend to enjoy that legendary brotherhood. Every day.

As I close, it is my challenge to you as well. Do something great this summer, in your Lodge or with your Lodge Brothers that you will all enjoy. Have a wonderful day or evening, even a weekend together. Invite Masons from neighboring Lodges as well, grow the mystic tie that binds all of us together. By doing so we improve our Lodge, and we improve our own lives. Together we can live the legend. Together we can fulfill the promise of Freemasonry.