The Beaches in Toronto
Last night, my mother lodge, The Beaches Lodge No 473 held a wonderful reception for me at York Temple, and also invested VWBro Robert Jewell (who was at my initiation in 2005) with his regalia as Assistant Grand Organist. The lodge was opened at 7pm, and visitors were admitted shortly thereafter, and after being afforded Grand Honours, lodge was closed in order to bring in the guests of the evening, which included my wife, Arlene, and our sons William and Richard. My eldest son Eric was already in lodge as SW, and he welcomed Michaela to also sit in the North with their two children Olivia and Ayven.
Several of my brethren in lodge were asked to provide a synopsis of their relationship with me and share a few of their experiences along the way. WBro Christian Giles spoke about our first day in lodge, and some of our subsequent ventures around the world, and the impact of Freemasonry we have enjoyed together, WBro Russ Richardson regaled us with stories from our days in the music industry and some special moments, given we were both born a few days apart in 1960 - and the aforementioned Bro Boyce mentioned how he was introduced to the Craft and how much I have brought to our district and our Grand Lodge, based on my professional expertise.
William and Richard brought to the meeting a satchel, which I was given only after my father had passed away in 2012, and explained its contents: my father's apron and his father's apron, and they took the time to explain our family's heritage, as it relates to our connection to the lodges we have joined over the decades, and the Lewis Jewel too, as my father was initiated, passed and raised by my mother's father into Hesketh Lodge in England. Arlene then eloquently offered a few nuggets of wisdom and her appreciation of my commitment to the lodge and our many events in the community, not to mention my enjoyment of this special year in the Grand West that means so much to me and to my family.
There were many of my Masonic friends and mentors visiting, people who have truly inspired me, as well as their guests, and this is what I said to them:
"Thank you WM, and for those who first welcomed me, those who have taught me and those who have encouraged me each step along my path. Thank you to those who spoke this evening on the impact that real life has on my journey; "thank you" Arlene, W&R, and Christian, Russ and Eric for your personal reflections, they matter, and to all of you for the support you have afforded me day after day, week after week, year after year.
When I was young, if people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said I wanted to be a downhill ski racer. A few years later, when asked the same thing in high school, I said I wanted to be a F-14 Tomcat pilot - and learning Canada had none, I wrote a letter to the US Air Force asking if I could enlist. They said no. But, I learnt... there were no bad questions.
Soon enough, upon graduating from university - and to make a long story short - I knew I did not want a career sitting behind a desk. I wanted to travel, to meet people, to enjoy a life of exploration and discovery - and how I might make a difference in the world. So, I entered the hospitality industry and a short time later found myself a manager at the Elbow Beach Hotel in Bermuda. In retrospect, as you have heard, I did not slow down until the 'dot com' when I found myself in Hong Kong.
I have met people both rich and poor across this world, and always enjoyed their keen insights and nuggets of wisdom. These, however, were occasional, and as time wore on I felt I was missing something.
A lot of people ask why I joined Freemasonry. I believe it was to fill a need, a yearning to find something that was lacking in my life. I was on a search for knowledge - hoping to find meaning for our years on this Earth.
I was asking questions and I discovered Freemasonry. If it was good enough for my grandfather, I thought to myself, then it was good enough for me.
From within the hidden secrets and mysteries, I have hoped to find an answer and thus to satisfy my quest - and, be assured, it has not been a race to the finish. You might wonder whether I have found what I was looking for. I have. I have listened and learnt, and have understood what I have been taught, and able to pass on this knowledge to others. Yet, within this ancient school of philosophy, and its offering of many lessons, Freemasonry is an experience and, for those who join, it is what we share.
I was once told this analogy about Freemasonry: if you did not know how to swim and I gave you a book, it would be quite unlikely you could teach yourself to swim. To swim, you are taught. Among those who learn to swim, some over time might swim quickly, while others might only be able to stay afloat, happily moving slowly from one point to another.
As a youngster I enjoyed my dreams of independence, and over these past 15 years - I have been truly inspired by many men within Freemasonry. When I was growing up I wasn't inspired to be a great speaker - but I have heard the most inspiring speakers within a lodge, and thus have been inspired to get involved, lend support, offer help and approach leaders and ask questions, and always try to improve - not only your own world but the world around you - and make an impact.
You can fly down a mountain, you can fly to the stars and you can make a difference. I hope in my travels across this province that I am able to inspire those too who want to make a difference, like those ripples in a pond, every decision we make, everything we choose to do, has an impact.
In closing, let me say it has been a pleasure to serve my lodge, my district and my Grand Lodge.
However, in addition to all the Past Masters of The Beaches Lodge owed so much gratitude, in particular I'd like to thank Al McDonald who first arrived at my door when I was curious and for his mentorship ever since, and Al Dvorak who is an exemplary guidance counsellor on so many levels, and of course the many men in our Grand Jurisdiction I've enjoyed meeting and learning from, especially the late Ray Daniels who told me, as we chatted while touring Sick Kids when he was the Deputy Grand Master, that we are all brothers, and don't let anyone's ego get in the way of a great idea.
I have, simply, tried my best over the years. Upon being initiated I did not think that I would be here, 15 years down the road, a Grand Senior Warden, or a grandfather, happily married with a wonderful family. I wonder if it's all part of a grand design, and I certainly wonder what lays ahead down the road, as I continue my journey, on which I do not walk alone.
I thank you for your kind attention and indeed look forward to the future."
William and Richard brought to the meeting a satchel, which I was given only after my father had passed away in 2012, and explained its contents: my father's apron and his father's apron, and they took the time to explain our family's heritage, as it relates to our connection to the lodges we have joined over the decades, and the Lewis Jewel too, as my father was initiated, passed and raised by my mother's father into Hesketh Lodge in England. Arlene then eloquently offered a few nuggets of wisdom and her appreciation of my commitment to the lodge and our many events in the community, not to mention my enjoyment of this special year in the Grand West that means so much to me and to my family.
There were many of my Masonic friends and mentors visiting, people who have truly inspired me, as well as their guests, and this is what I said to them:
"Thank you WM, and for those who first welcomed me, those who have taught me and those who have encouraged me each step along my path. Thank you to those who spoke this evening on the impact that real life has on my journey; "thank you" Arlene, W&R, and Christian, Russ and Eric for your personal reflections, they matter, and to all of you for the support you have afforded me day after day, week after week, year after year.
When I was young, if people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said I wanted to be a downhill ski racer. A few years later, when asked the same thing in high school, I said I wanted to be a F-14 Tomcat pilot - and learning Canada had none, I wrote a letter to the US Air Force asking if I could enlist. They said no. But, I learnt... there were no bad questions.
Soon enough, upon graduating from university - and to make a long story short - I knew I did not want a career sitting behind a desk. I wanted to travel, to meet people, to enjoy a life of exploration and discovery - and how I might make a difference in the world. So, I entered the hospitality industry and a short time later found myself a manager at the Elbow Beach Hotel in Bermuda. In retrospect, as you have heard, I did not slow down until the 'dot com' when I found myself in Hong Kong.
I have met people both rich and poor across this world, and always enjoyed their keen insights and nuggets of wisdom. These, however, were occasional, and as time wore on I felt I was missing something.
A lot of people ask why I joined Freemasonry. I believe it was to fill a need, a yearning to find something that was lacking in my life. I was on a search for knowledge - hoping to find meaning for our years on this Earth.
I was asking questions and I discovered Freemasonry. If it was good enough for my grandfather, I thought to myself, then it was good enough for me.
From within the hidden secrets and mysteries, I have hoped to find an answer and thus to satisfy my quest - and, be assured, it has not been a race to the finish. You might wonder whether I have found what I was looking for. I have. I have listened and learnt, and have understood what I have been taught, and able to pass on this knowledge to others. Yet, within this ancient school of philosophy, and its offering of many lessons, Freemasonry is an experience and, for those who join, it is what we share.
I was once told this analogy about Freemasonry: if you did not know how to swim and I gave you a book, it would be quite unlikely you could teach yourself to swim. To swim, you are taught. Among those who learn to swim, some over time might swim quickly, while others might only be able to stay afloat, happily moving slowly from one point to another.
As a youngster I enjoyed my dreams of independence, and over these past 15 years - I have been truly inspired by many men within Freemasonry. When I was growing up I wasn't inspired to be a great speaker - but I have heard the most inspiring speakers within a lodge, and thus have been inspired to get involved, lend support, offer help and approach leaders and ask questions, and always try to improve - not only your own world but the world around you - and make an impact.
You can fly down a mountain, you can fly to the stars and you can make a difference. I hope in my travels across this province that I am able to inspire those too who want to make a difference, like those ripples in a pond, every decision we make, everything we choose to do, has an impact.
In closing, let me say it has been a pleasure to serve my lodge, my district and my Grand Lodge.
However, in addition to all the Past Masters of The Beaches Lodge owed so much gratitude, in particular I'd like to thank Al McDonald who first arrived at my door when I was curious and for his mentorship ever since, and Al Dvorak who is an exemplary guidance counsellor on so many levels, and of course the many men in our Grand Jurisdiction I've enjoyed meeting and learning from, especially the late Ray Daniels who told me, as we chatted while touring Sick Kids when he was the Deputy Grand Master, that we are all brothers, and don't let anyone's ego get in the way of a great idea.
I have, simply, tried my best over the years. Upon being initiated I did not think that I would be here, 15 years down the road, a Grand Senior Warden, or a grandfather, happily married with a wonderful family. I wonder if it's all part of a grand design, and I certainly wonder what lays ahead down the road, as I continue my journey, on which I do not walk alone.
I thank you for your kind attention and indeed look forward to the future."
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