Memorial Day 2010

I am writing this at 9:00 P.M. on Memorial Day and I am reviewing the activities of the past few days with tears of joy in my eyes over what the Shrine has brought to my life (I'll get to this in a little while)

On Saturday I attended the funeral of my "Mother". I will not go into details, but this outstanding Noble was a great friend and Shriner. I met him about 10 years ago and he is a big strong retired Detroit policeman. His last couple years of life consisted of an ongoing battle with mulitple infections, wounds, and pain that no one should endure, but he did it with the pride and strength that became his character in life. In all my years as a Mason and Shriner, attending literary 100's of funerals, this was an amazing ceremony. Honor Guards from two different Police Departments conducted full rituals throughout the day, including a 21 gun salute to the background of a police bag piper. Following this, an army representative played the most beautiful version of Taps, while two other Army officers performed a full ritual of the flag folding and presentation. It was very, very impressive, and probably the best way we were able to honor his life.


Sunday May 30, 2010 Parade Season Begins with St. Clair Shores. HOT! HOT!! HOT!!!
I walked the long parade with my great friends from the reception unit. A little over 2 miles and the parade was very well conduct, hardly any stops. I stopped by the afterglow for a little while before driving to Dearborn to attend my cousin's wedding at the Henry Ford. What another great ceremony, this time celebrating the union of love between two great people. This was a part interfaith, part traditional, part esoteric ceremony involving elements of the Hebrew and Christian faiths intermixed with a beautiful combining of different sands (Hawaiian tradition). The reception was beautiful and Carrie and I are so much looking forward to the Pote's Ball which will be held in the same location.

Got home around 12:30 AM to get up at 7 the next morning for the Sterling Heights parade. Well here we go, the parade was great and a lot of my family members showed up to watch. We went to the afterglow and lo and behold, the beautiful brides of my fellow Board Members set up the entire place for a surprise birthday celebration for my 40 years on this planet. The next 5 hours are a little blurry, but one of my cousins (non-Mason/Shriner) put my feelings into perspective, when it was stated that it was real evident that this organization of Nobles and their Ladies is a real family and how alluring it was to be caught in the moment of family/love. You know, this is so true. I feel that I am the most fortunate person in the world, for the love and friendship that has been evolved in this family. Of course I love my blood-relative Family, but the Shrine is so much a part of my life (also for Carrie) that sometimes it feels so much more than just people to meet once and a while. I truly feel that the Supreme Architect has provided for a path of light, whose travels and end results are love for one another. I cannot thank this group of people, my family, for all they have given me, but I hope to continue nurturing and growing this love to our entire organization.

THE SHRINE IS ALIVE AND FUTURE IS BRIGHT, SO MOTE IT BE!!!!!