| Master's Message |
| Haddonfield - Cherry Hill Lodge #15, F&AM Haddonfield Masonic Temple 16 Kings Highway, East Haddonfield, New Jersey 08033 856-428-4193 njlodge15@yahoo.com Regular Communication: Third Tuesday of each Month |
| Take the time for a Timely Task Recently, I had a task to do. A task is work that is imposed, of short duration, and burdensome. This task was self-imposed due to my belief in Masonic teachings. It was definitely of short duration, since writing on the inside of a blank greeting card has limited space. And, this task was burdensome because I had learned with heavy heart that a friend of more than forty years, John Pedicord, was coming home from the hospital with advanced metastasized late stage cancer. Back in 1963, I began playing clarinet with the Original Hobo Band of Pitman, NJ. After several years, my skills increased so that I progressed from 3rd to 2nd and then because of industry and zeal I moved to a 1st clarinet part. My father as the concertmaster sat to my right. John Pedicord, who was a founding member of the band, sat to my left. This was the arrangement for the next twenty years. When my father died, John moved to the concertmaster’s chair. Over the years, we never had a cross word and John was always supportive. We grew closer on an overnight trip to perform in a parade in Washington, D.C., John and I roomed together where I learned that John shared my interests in nature and the environment. At this year’s Hobo Winter Party in January, we learned that John, 87, was coming home from the hospital to spend his final days with his family. I knew I had a difficult task to do: I had to write a farewell message to a friend. Besides saying that I was sorry that he was ill, I reminded him of the many good times which we shared. I confided to him that he was like a second father to me and that it was a comfort to know that John supported the Hobo Band when I was unable. Within days of my card’s arrival, John died. So if a similar task presents itself, do it. I say task again because it requires that we recognize their and our mortality, that we find the right words and that we put pen to paper or place the call. When completed, they will feel better and so will you. Often we do not have the chance to send a message as I did with John, or we hesitate and miss the opportunity to say what our loved ones or friends should have heard. Take the time to say the important things. Reach out, find the Brother whom you should have thanked, but did not. Resolve the issue now with a Brother with whom you may have had conflict. Let the instructive tongue say the words which need be said to fall upon the attentive ear. Sincerely and Fraternally, David R. Leeds, Worshipful Master 2007 |
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| E-mail: drleeds@netzero.net |
| E-mail: njlodge15@yahoo.com |