I always hear old adages like “Take time for yourself”, “You never get those years back” and “No one ever looks back and says I wish I would have worked more.”  I suppose you hear those words enough and at some point you start to listen.  I think life events, like Frank Horn’s passing, help us listen as well. I remember someone coming up to me after our meeting honoring Frank and telling me “I am really glad you had Frank talk about “His Life and His Passion”.  I gained a great appreciation for Frank that day and learned so much about him I did not know before.” Those words hit home for me as I have always believed that all of our Rotarians have such great personal stories to tell, if we just take the time to meet, talk to each other and listen.

Well, I listened this year and boy am I glad I did. I visited as many friends and family as I could. I heard stories that made me laugh and stories that broke my heart. I felt great jubilation for some and great sadness and grief for others. In the end, I listened to those that needed an ear and celebrated with those that wanted a high five (how passé is that?). Regardless of the story or resulting emotion, I left each meeting and this holiday season, having learned something about my friends (and myself) and feeling closer to everyone I was able to see and spend time with. How awesome is that?

It is funny how life mirrors Rotary and I hope all of us will take more time this year to come to meetings, talk about personal stories, and gain a better appreciation for what awesome people we have and that we all become closer as a result. I know I will do my best not to miss a meeting (perfect attendance so far) and I hope you will too, not because meetings are mandatory, but because no one of us is guaranteed tomorrow, we are surrounded by simply awesome people that are worth getting to know or know better and all that gets in our way from something truly special, is us and our self-imposed obligations. So please join me in making 2012 the year of Rotary, enhancing relationships and doing something special.

Forever yours,

Mark