OK, so I know that it’s been a few days since I’ve written about Freemasonry, but, I must confess, Christmas and not the Craft has been at the center of my thoughts. I promise that we’ll get back to Masonry after the holiday!
I’ll also say, that we, with the notable exception of Brother Dan who pushes us to actually take action each and every week on Rummer and Grapes, are a bunch of old farts. I prefer to lie to myself and believe myself to still be a young guy, and I’m forever claiming to be a young Mason, but if I’m honest, I have to admit that such is not true. I’m an old fart now!
And us old farts have grandchildren.
So towards that end…
The other day, in a comment on one of my nonsensical essays, VW John said something that I thought to be quite profound, and that has been on my mind ever since. He said:
“Grandparents are about empowerment.”
I must confess that I’d never really looked at it in that way. I saw myself as a grandparent as indulgent, protective, and eager to give in to the kid’s desires. I’ve also seen grandparents as the people kids can go to in order to talk about things that they won’t talk about with their parents. A safe port in the storm of life perhaps.
Most definitely YES! It is my desire that my Grandson may one day follow my journey with one of his own in Masonry.
I'm very proud of him because he has learned how to think on his own, researching what is of interest to him and actually finds good, accurate information. We have had discussions about the Masons and what we do, so it gives me hope that someday he may follow my footsteps.
My paternal Grandfather passed before I was born. My maternal Grandfather live in Bison South Dakota and I grew up in Seattle Washington, so of course, didn't have a opportunity to have a long, close relationship with my Grandfather. I found out long after he had passed that he was a Mason. So it may be well after I've laid down my working tools that my Grandson becomes a Mason.
Yes as Grandparents I believe through empowering our Grandchildren, we are fulfilling our role at its fullest. If we listen to their dreams and desires, helping them discover on their own what it takes to reach that dream or goal. Certainly we can give them their wishes, which we do quite often but for the larger wishes and goals, if we discuss with them why it's important and what it will take to get there, I believe we are helping keep them grounded.
So here's hoping you have the opportunity to build such a relationship with your Grandchildren.
I was very lucky to have all four Grandparents make it well into my adulthood, one remains now even. Undoubtedly, all were a huge influence on my life.
No boys though, and I don't imagine any boys on the way, as Melinda's family only has girls! But, I think Avery will be keen on jumping into rainbow when she's old enough in a couple of years.
Agreed! It is more than grandchildren, it is everyone that we help to empower and develop into the best person to contribute to society. Family, friends, Masons, co-workers... I remember a line ... for every person has a claim upon your kind offices, do good unto all....
I guess that I'm not a late bloomer, but I don't seem to be very good seed stock! Three daughters, all in their 30's, only one grandchild, with one more on the way. I get the impression that two will be all I get!
Here is a female point of view...What I pass on is the ability to laugh, laugh, laugh. Good humor is a sign of genius (according to me!) But seriously. I have heard that it is the father that passes on the traditions so I think all of you have a good chance of passing on the Craft participation.
Thank you for this perspective. Tradition has always been extremely important to me, so perhaps that is true, at least in my case. But laughter, Yes! It is so important to have laughter in our lives. And the ability to laugh!
I am from a Masonic family. I was part of Jobs daughters and my father was a mason here in my hometown. But that was 50 years ago. In my town they are gone. No more masonic lodges. The last one was converted into an administrator building for a school district. The one before it is now a church and the first one that I know of is now a huge Dentist office.
I am sorry to read that Masonry has disappeared from your area.
It does seem to be a geographical problem here in Washington, not related to population density. It is truly thriving in some of our large population centers, to include Seattle, and in some extremely rural places. But in other cities and rural areas it is struggling quite badly.
This is undoubtedly a result of leadership, where there are good leaders it will do better.
But, I think that something else is in play too. I think that the egregores of individual Lodges play a huge part in this.
If we wander into some Lodges, we will feel quite wonderful while we are there. Others, we'll feel the opposite. And that can infect surrounding Lodges. In both directions. This is why, I think, we see success or failure so strongly indicated by specific location in this Jurisdiction.
Thank you! My brother is an active Mason in Lodi,California…. It’s very vibrant in his community. I’m not sure what happened to this tank, but there have been massive changes over the decades in that particular good.
Most definitely YES! It is my desire that my Grandson may one day follow my journey with one of his own in Masonry.
I'm very proud of him because he has learned how to think on his own, researching what is of interest to him and actually finds good, accurate information. We have had discussions about the Masons and what we do, so it gives me hope that someday he may follow my footsteps.
My paternal Grandfather passed before I was born. My maternal Grandfather live in Bison South Dakota and I grew up in Seattle Washington, so of course, didn't have a opportunity to have a long, close relationship with my Grandfather. I found out long after he had passed that he was a Mason. So it may be well after I've laid down my working tools that my Grandson becomes a Mason.
Yes as Grandparents I believe through empowering our Grandchildren, we are fulfilling our role at its fullest. If we listen to their dreams and desires, helping them discover on their own what it takes to reach that dream or goal. Certainly we can give them their wishes, which we do quite often but for the larger wishes and goals, if we discuss with them why it's important and what it will take to get there, I believe we are helping keep them grounded.
So here's hoping you have the opportunity to build such a relationship with your Grandchildren.
I was very lucky to have all four Grandparents make it well into my adulthood, one remains now even. Undoubtedly, all were a huge influence on my life.
No boys though, and I don't imagine any boys on the way, as Melinda's family only has girls! But, I think Avery will be keen on jumping into rainbow when she's old enough in a couple of years.
Not ALL of us have grandkids…but we might be late bloomers too. 🤣
Agreed! It is more than grandchildren, it is everyone that we help to empower and develop into the best person to contribute to society. Family, friends, Masons, co-workers... I remember a line ... for every person has a claim upon your kind offices, do good unto all....
Thank you for the reminder W. Brother. Indeed we can have influences that reverberate even beyond our knowledge.
I guess that I'm not a late bloomer, but I don't seem to be very good seed stock! Three daughters, all in their 30's, only one grandchild, with one more on the way. I get the impression that two will be all I get!
Here is a female point of view...What I pass on is the ability to laugh, laugh, laugh. Good humor is a sign of genius (according to me!) But seriously. I have heard that it is the father that passes on the traditions so I think all of you have a good chance of passing on the Craft participation.
Thank you for this perspective. Tradition has always been extremely important to me, so perhaps that is true, at least in my case. But laughter, Yes! It is so important to have laughter in our lives. And the ability to laugh!
I am from a Masonic family. I was part of Jobs daughters and my father was a mason here in my hometown. But that was 50 years ago. In my town they are gone. No more masonic lodges. The last one was converted into an administrator building for a school district. The one before it is now a church and the first one that I know of is now a huge Dentist office.
I am sorry to read that Masonry has disappeared from your area.
It does seem to be a geographical problem here in Washington, not related to population density. It is truly thriving in some of our large population centers, to include Seattle, and in some extremely rural places. But in other cities and rural areas it is struggling quite badly.
This is undoubtedly a result of leadership, where there are good leaders it will do better.
But, I think that something else is in play too. I think that the egregores of individual Lodges play a huge part in this.
If we wander into some Lodges, we will feel quite wonderful while we are there. Others, we'll feel the opposite. And that can infect surrounding Lodges. In both directions. This is why, I think, we see success or failure so strongly indicated by specific location in this Jurisdiction.
Some thoughts about all of that:
https://emeth.substack.com/p/the-egregore-of-a-lodge
Thank you! My brother is an active Mason in Lodi,California…. It’s very vibrant in his community. I’m not sure what happened to this tank, but there have been massive changes over the decades in that particular good.
I will check out your late! Thank you again!