For the last three years, I’ve kept my articles focused mainly on esoteric subjects, as I wanted to share my journey through learning new leadership skills, new uses of our craft, and other revelations with you. Generally speaking, I figure the practical is mundane, whereas the esoteric is timeless. However, for my last article, I’d like to focus on practical issues, particularly “thank you”s, because my time as Master could not have happened without the help of so many people.

To my officers, I thank you for all your support. I hope you all receive as much or more than I did from your tenure as servants of the Lodge. And, I hope my leadership taught or inspired you all to be better leaders, whether it being from simply learning not to do it the way I did it, to genuinely learning from my actions.

There are a few unsung heroes I wish to thank, in particular:

Aaron Cohen: I can’t think of anyone who does more for the Lodge, and does it quietly, repeatedly, and dependably. Aaron would step in as Officer at Large whenever someone else couldn’t make it, and was always willing to help with ritual, even with only a few minutes notice. He coached all of our new candidates this year, and the incredible quality of the proficiencies we’ve been hearing this year is due in large part to his coaching. He helped prepare and serve all of our stated meeting dinners. Often the first to arrive, and the last to leave, he was always there to pick up the slack of others. Aaron’s dedication did not go unnoticed by me, and I hope that it doesn’t by others as well. Thank you, Aaron.

Dale Jacobs: Thank you for being there to help cook and serve for stated meetings. Another quiet, but dependable helper, I want you to know I appreciate your consistent and eager help.

Stan Higgins: Thank you, Stan, for causing new energy and life to be breathed into new candidates, and for stepping in to Senior Deacon, yet again. Your commitment to Masonry, and to people experiencing the fullest version of it we can provide is evident in all your efforts. When all the other drama is set aside, we should all take your example, and focus on and do what’s right for the candidates. Thank you.

Marco Romey: Thank you for your enthusiasm and eagerness to help in anything I asked. It seemed that any task I set before you was accomplished, and done so above my expectations, always faster than I could have hoped.

Aaron Shubb: Thank you for bending over backwards to accommodate my crazy food ideas, and yet, even with short notice changes, cooked excellent food all year.

There are so many others who made my year possible. Please don’t take offense if I didn’t single you out here. Here, I just wanted to publicly thank the people who don’t often get praise in public, usually because they don’t do what they do for praise, they do it out of the goodness of their hearts: true examples of Masonry in practice.

Thank you everyone for bearing with me as I learned what it means to be Master. I know you’ll show the same compassion and interest to our future Masters. And, in the meantime, I’ll see you in the Past Master’s section.

David Sylvester
Master

slyman007@aol.com