Having
received the email earlier in the morning, I was sitting at the kitchen table
yesterday continuing to work on a variety of pressing projects while rummaging
through the overflow of papers that had taken over my work bag. In the middle
of all this I was going back and forth on my lode email trying to determine
whether or not we would still be having fellowship during this cold and windy
night. As the afternoon continued, it seemed less and less likely that I would
be joined by my fellow brothers… it looked as though it was going to be a quick
evening.
With
no real anticipation of being joined in Ardmore that night, I took my time
finishing up a few things, packing my bag, and heading out the door. While I
would normally arrive after work around 7, last night I turned the corner about
thirty minutes later than usual and noticed something surprising… all the
lights were on. After checking the mailbox across the street I walked through
the main doors only to find a first floor void of any activity. Without a
second thought I made my way up the stairs and found the lodge room door wide
open and a few muffled instructions coming from within.
I
entered the room only to find that I had become the longest standing member of
the lodge in this small but dedicated group of 6 brothers. I think that might
have been the first time that I had experienced that and it was a bit of an odd
feeling. They were all there to learn some of the roles during the degree work
going step by step lead by a brother raised only 5 months prior. Impressive
leadership to say the least.
With
things well under control I walked to the front of the room, pulled out the
mail and the ledger, and took care of a few of the items that I had just
retrieved from the post office. Once those few items were taken care of, it was
time to pull out the computer (another odd feeling for me sitting at desk in
the lodge room) and get some other work done that I had been putting off all
day. Basically all the items that are without deadlines but should be taken
care of as soon as I have a free moment or two.
Even
while working I was still able to look out over the screen and check on the
progress of our new brothers. Occasionally a question would be cast in my
direction and, to my surprise, I was able to respond rather quickly. I guess I
have absorbed more than I realized over the past couple of years.
The
night came to an end around the usual time and we all made our way back out
into the frigid weather. Some of us heading home to family while others taking
the time to grab some dinner before getting on the road. However, we all left
knowing that we would see each other again the following week which is a
welcomed change from just a year ago.
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