By a twist of fate,with your husbands becoming Rotarians, automatically, you became the Women Helping Rotary, with a very important role to play, which is, to support your mates , in their desire to become quality Rotarians, that would catapult them, to a higher rung, in the Rotary ladder of leadership.
I was introduced to the world of Rotary , more than 50 years ago, when my father became a Rotarian of RC of Cebu West; my husband, the late PDG Salvador "Doring" Caragos, was inducted into Rotary in 1971. The good thing about his induction was that , the past district Governor who sponsored , charged and inducted him, asked me to stand behind his back, as he took his oath of membership; then, he addressed and included me in the charging, with an admonition that I give my full support to his Rotary membership. That gesture, made me feel like a Rotarian, not in name, but in my heart. When he said, "Always think Rotary, like my husband, I did too.
I fondly remember, my Rotarian, shared with me his Rotary Service Manuals, from his Presidency to his Governorship. I also studied Rotary Protocol, which saw major changes in addressing Rotary dignitaries in the year 2011...I read everything Rotary that he would pass on to me. Since I am knowledgable in Rotary, I gave him my best counsel. In return, every time he would receive an award, he would right away give it to me and say, "thank you", maybe to show to me, that we were a tandem , in Rotary service.
After 42 years in Rotary, with almost a perfect attendance in weekly club meetings.....after more than 200 plaques of merit, from International-National-and Club recognitions, that passed my hands, including the elusive RI Outstanding District award for 3870,given to only 32 out of the 530 districts, all over the world, and a corresponding karat governor title......after he left us forever, wearing his teal aqua blue Rotary governor's coat and tie, a Rotarian to the end, and though alone now, I continue to keep the legacy, he bequeathed to me, which is to live and love Rotary, and with my Rotary story , I hope to inspire and motivate all of you, to serve the way he served. Although his transition has left a void in my life, I take consolation that he left me with enough Rotary memories , to share with you, and to inspire all of us, for the rest of our life.
Ladies, this year, RI has sounded the clarion call, Light Up Rotary, as it's theme. Spouses-mothers, Light up Rotary in your children's life. Start with youth service, prepare your impressionable young who will one day, eventually inherit the earth....the future Rotarians! Then, With your rotarians, embody all that rotary stands for, it's object, tenets and ideals. Be their role models, a lamp to shine, in Rotary values; let your footprints mark the way for them to follow.
As a guiding light,teach them to be truthful and honest for there is no other softest pillow than a clear conscience......to speak the truth for truly it will set them free for they don't have to remember all that they said....then make them live that they may look at everyman, straight in the eye.
Encourage them not just to be a friend, but to learn how to love a friend.. A beautiful friendship builds peace and goodwill. We have always taught our children , the prayer of Jabez, "As you bless me Lord, make me a blessing to others; as you protect me, protect me from harming others."
Tell them to be fair. ....to be men of their words....to keep all their promises....not to be judgmental for they don't know other people's life journey; they don't know what those people have been through, besides, there are always two sides to a story. Furthermore, how can they follow the greatest commandment and love their neighbors if they have judged them? The Dalai Lama defines Love as the absence of judgement, so, spare them from the cruelty of this world, where so many good and innocent men got sullied reputations due to unfounded accusations.
Show them how to be kind and to be a giver.....to share because they care....to heal the world and make it a better place, true to our Rotary motto of service above self; that's what we are in Rotary for. Tell them that for every act of real compassionate kindness, comes joyful fulfillment that uplifts their very soul.
Remember what the sages say, even the smallest candle can be seen in the darkest night and as the song goes, "if each one of us, light, just one little candle, what a bright world this would be! ". My dear spouses, jointly with your Rotarians, shine....glow....radiate....
Very truly yours,
PDG's widow, Rosalinda "Linda" Caragos
Member, Spouses of RC of Cagayan de Oro
District 3870, Philippines
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