ScouterRusty
New Member
Please bear with me as I tend to ramble, but I wanted to share the background on what has brought me to Masonry.
I have had in interest in Freemasonry for the last 10 years or so. My interest started when my Grandmother passed and I was given some of my Grandfathers’ (who had passed in 1996) jewellery of which one item was a 14 degree ring. I had known he was a mason (and one of the kindest, generous people I have known), but never really paid it much thought as I knew NOTHING about the fraternity. Upon researching his ring I found some great information and made the decision this was something I wanted to pursue when I could give it the attention I felt it warranted and put my aspirations of joining on the back burner due to work and family commitments at that time.
About 5 years ago I noticed one of my suppliers had a Masonic ring and approached him some time later and asked some questions about masonry (a conversation that is still ongoing). I would have petitioned then, but my life went off the rails with a move for a new job and a brief separation (all good now). My supplier has become a close friend would nudge me from time to time to check it I was ready to petition or not. I kept thinking I was too busy with work, family or Scouting and putting Masonry on hold until things settled down. My wife would also keep 'pestering' me to petition and kept leaving books she found at the store or library on my nightstand to read (one of which was 'Freemasons for Dummies') but I kept telling her I was not ready.
I was sitting at a campfire at one of our scouting events this fall and had a revelation. I said to myself, "Self, you know you want to be a mason and follow in your grandfathers footsteps. You keep waiting for things to settle down and for the perfect time, but what if that never comes. You weren’t sure you were ready to get married, but you did and although it has been difficult at times you have made it work and your are happy. You weren't sure you were ready to have kids, but you did and although it has been difficult at times you have made it work and you are happy. You aren't sure you are ready to be a mason, but why can't you make it work like you have so many other things?”
A few days later I spoke to my friend and told him I was ready and asked him for the next step. On his advice I contacted the secretary at my local lodge and arranged a time to meet. We spent a couple hours chatting about masonry as well as our families and work. At the end of our meeting he presented me with a petition which I filled out on the spot and handed back.
Now I'm waiting to hear how the vote on my petition went and it's killing me. I even had a dream (or nightmare) in which I was blackballed and I woke up in a cold sweat and never did get back to sleep (even though I can think of no reason I would get turned away at this stage). It's only been two days since the vote was to take place, so I don't expect to hear anything for a bit, but after waiting as long as I have to start the process I seem be getting pretty antsy to begin.
Does anyone here have some good advice to someone starting a journey?
I have had in interest in Freemasonry for the last 10 years or so. My interest started when my Grandmother passed and I was given some of my Grandfathers’ (who had passed in 1996) jewellery of which one item was a 14 degree ring. I had known he was a mason (and one of the kindest, generous people I have known), but never really paid it much thought as I knew NOTHING about the fraternity. Upon researching his ring I found some great information and made the decision this was something I wanted to pursue when I could give it the attention I felt it warranted and put my aspirations of joining on the back burner due to work and family commitments at that time.
About 5 years ago I noticed one of my suppliers had a Masonic ring and approached him some time later and asked some questions about masonry (a conversation that is still ongoing). I would have petitioned then, but my life went off the rails with a move for a new job and a brief separation (all good now). My supplier has become a close friend would nudge me from time to time to check it I was ready to petition or not. I kept thinking I was too busy with work, family or Scouting and putting Masonry on hold until things settled down. My wife would also keep 'pestering' me to petition and kept leaving books she found at the store or library on my nightstand to read (one of which was 'Freemasons for Dummies') but I kept telling her I was not ready.
I was sitting at a campfire at one of our scouting events this fall and had a revelation. I said to myself, "Self, you know you want to be a mason and follow in your grandfathers footsteps. You keep waiting for things to settle down and for the perfect time, but what if that never comes. You weren’t sure you were ready to get married, but you did and although it has been difficult at times you have made it work and your are happy. You weren't sure you were ready to have kids, but you did and although it has been difficult at times you have made it work and you are happy. You aren't sure you are ready to be a mason, but why can't you make it work like you have so many other things?”
A few days later I spoke to my friend and told him I was ready and asked him for the next step. On his advice I contacted the secretary at my local lodge and arranged a time to meet. We spent a couple hours chatting about masonry as well as our families and work. At the end of our meeting he presented me with a petition which I filled out on the spot and handed back.
Now I'm waiting to hear how the vote on my petition went and it's killing me. I even had a dream (or nightmare) in which I was blackballed and I woke up in a cold sweat and never did get back to sleep (even though I can think of no reason I would get turned away at this stage). It's only been two days since the vote was to take place, so I don't expect to hear anything for a bit, but after waiting as long as I have to start the process I seem be getting pretty antsy to begin.
Does anyone here have some good advice to someone starting a journey?
