How I long to travel. I desire to seek a tranquil place where I can embrace and celebrate, even if for only a short time, an awareness of self, friends, and another’s hospitality. A place where I can explore differences and share similarities.
Travel seems to be the link to humanness; a time when we truly connect with people while enjoying our own distinction. We are all travelers in one sense or another.
Travel is used in many references. Many travel daily to accommodate a work schedule that allows us interaction with co-workers, clients and other individuals who are caught up in that daily ritual. We often think of travel in relation to the opportunity to break from that daily routine.
As your Grand Master, when I think of travel, I anticipate the opportunity to visit with the members of this Grand Jurisdiction. Many of our Brethren are receiving recognition for their service to our Fraternity, and it is always enjoyable to be with them as they relate what their membership has meant to them and their families.
On my recent trip to Florida with some of our Grand Lodge officers and our Ladies, I saw that our Ohio Brethren are enjoying their retirement but continue in their interest in Masonry as they visit and work in the Lodges of that jurisdiction.
It was an honor to present service pins of 50, 60 and 65 years to some of our Brethren and listen to the remembrances of their home Lodge and their activities in this newest lifestyle.
I must extend my gratitude to those dedicated Brethren who plan each year for our visits and to the staff of the Ohio Masonic Home for their coordination of the travel plans.
It was a special occasion when the Grand Master of Florida, MWB Dan Griffith, welcomed us at one of the gatherings and shared his enthusiasm for Freemasonry.
I will be visiting with many of you in traveling to our 25 Districts for inspections and receptions. While each of us and each Lodge have differences, we are united in that fraternal bond that endures for all time. I hope that many of you will give me the opportunity to share time with you this year and for many years to come.
For I know that, when I am seeking that tranquil place, I need only knock on that Lodge door and extend a hand to my Brethren.
There I have found Freemasonry…A Timeless Treasure.
