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VWB Greg Stewart Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington for 2003-2004 Mailto: underthetable@earthlink.net 13316 3rd NE |
How I Got Here... (July 2003)
In the coming months you may hear me compare my Masonic life to my previous life. That is because like anything else something that is to be great evolves in stages. I currently consider my life to be in a Masonic networking phase.
My earliest recollection of the existence of Masons is my mother's step father Harold J. Gregory who is a Past Master of McCormick Lodge in Mobile Alabama, hence the name. He had a Past Master's pocket watch with the square and compasses and "G" charm hanging from the chain. I thought the "G" was a monogram and symbols were a form of family crest. I was informed that almost all of the men in my family tree were Masons even though it was not openly discussed. It wasn't until later that I met and fell in love with Heather Norberg. I met her through a mutual friend Pam Tate who was in Job's Daughters Bethel 22 with her. My first dinner with Heather's family included friends of theirs from Amaranth and I was warned that it would be a test to see if I could hold my own at the dinner table. I guess I did. It was very different with her family in that the fraternal orders were openly discussed excluding secrets. I attended many open installations and since Heather was the Bethel Guardian I hung out with the girls as the token adult male. We had discussed the possibility of my joining the Masons and I was not sure if I was qualified. It turns out I had the most important qualification, to make myself a better man. Heather's father handed me a petition. I filled it out and gave him a check. He said he would take care of the rest. The rest of the events that took place are in the records of Doric Lodge 92.
My point in telling this story is to exemplify the importance of our youth groups and the scope of the Masonic families. The friends that come from these have good strong long lasting relationships. They include our children, our parents and our grandparents. They include famous people, heroes, and people who inspire us to be better. When you are out and about consider that your conduct and actions are the only ritual some people will ever see. That is how we attract new members and create this long lasting network of friends.
Thanks to both the Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4, and the Masonic Monitor which publishes his articles for allowing us to reprint them. The Masonic Monitor is published monthly (except August) under approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington. The Masonic Monitor can be contacted at: 6619 132nd Avenue NE, PMB 237, Kirkland, WA, 98033-8627, USA. Phone: (425) 822-4605 - FAX: (425) 822-2535 - Email: masonicmonitor@earthlink.net.