My dear Rotarians,

 

During the month of December, Rotary celebrates a month of family and friendship.  I am reminded how these are some of the most precious gifts we possess and cherish deeply.

 

Whether you celebrate during the month of December Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa --- or all three --- they are a celebration of what binds us all together through love, friendship, peace, fellowship – and for Rotarians, Service Above Self. However, Rotarians live out the motto of Service Above Self – every day and in every way.   It is a year long celebration that reminds us of the beauty and joy we find in each other and in serving people in need.   Rotarians are among the most generous people one could ever want to meet --- and they cut across politics, religion, cultures --- to join together in Service Above Self.

 

During the month of December, we have all received many warm expressions and acknowledgment of our special holidays and holy days. One of the more surprising events for me when I visited Jordan a couple of years ago in December with Mary Jean Eisenhower and others; was the celebration of Christmas in Jordan, despite the country being 98% Muslim. Everywhere you went in Jordan, stores and hotels were decorated and the country in 1956 declared Christmas Day as a holiday, for to the Muslims in Jordan, Jesus was a great prophet to all people. I also found out the Jordanian Rotarians also recognized the Jewish holydays as many Jordanian Rotarians had businesses and friends in Israel – and had service projects with Rotarians in Israel. I was also impressed when I traveled to Turkey for a Rotary Middle East peace conference, how the Rotarian leaders from all of the Middle Eastern countries wanted peace and how they rose above the politics to join together to build bridges of peace through dialogue; celebrating each other’s cultures; and learning to work together through Rotary service projects.

 

At this time of year and throughout the year, let us build on our Rotary dreams of peace through understanding and good will – and let Rotarians continue to be the shining light in often times dark and troubled times – as we continue to work together to serve others in need and lead the world by our example in peace and understanding.

 

Enjoy your holidays with your loved ones – and I wish you and your loved ones a very happy, healthy, and joyous 2010!

 

Pat