So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. Other than our religious belief, the way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning. You cant substitute material things for gentleness or tenderness, or for a sense of comradeship; neither money nor power will give you the feeling you're looking for, no matter how much of them you have.

        You know what really gives you satisfaction?... Offering others what you have to give. I don't mean money. I mean your time. Your concern. Your storytelling.

        I am writing this to you because of the loss of two members from our lodge last month, WB Greg Skinner and WB Paul Jenkins, and I think that we should try to put things back into perspective (where they belong). I remember the good times that I had conversing with Greg and hear that Paul touched so many people throughout the 1st district and beyond, and it seems to me that as long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on-in the hearts of everyone you have touched or nurtured while you were here.

        I extend a warm invitation to all brethren of Linwood  Lodge to come to one of our upcoming events: We have our Annual Inspection coming up Feb. 9th at 7:15pm sharp!

        This is the best time for any of our newer members to come down and witness their first inspection, grab a friend and make a night out of it.

        Our Annual Sweethearts dinner is two days later Feb.11th at 4:00pm and is one of the lodge favorites, especially for the ladies cause they don't have to lift a hand, the guys do all the serving (with smiles). Here are two opportunities to come down and start to create one of those lasting friendships, full of memories and laughs that enrich our life and extends beyond the grave.