I have been working on an old home this week and doing some things, construction and destruction wise, that I have never done before. One of the things that I participated in was the removal and replacement of a very large and quite long timber. The process of completing this task was amazing to me. This large beam was positioned so that it supported many other, smaller “beams,” (floor joists), which in turn were supporting the floor above. These smaller floor joists had to be temporarily supported by something else while the large beam was removed and replaced in order to prevent movement of the floor above and subsequently, possible damage to the floor, surrounding walls, etc. What was amazing to me was that the lumber used to temporarily support the floor joists was so much smaller than the beam being removed. Of course, if you were to make one piece of lumber out of all of the smaller temporary supports it would be much greater in diameter than even the large beam, but to see them standing there alone, they seemed like spindly little twigs.

 

As I was looking around in awe, and feeling very ignorant about physics and engineering, it dawned on me what an analogy I was staring at. Simply, I was imagining that all of the smaller temporary supports were you, Rotarians, and the floor joists and all that they were supporting was something much larger, say an entire country. Together, the actions of many, can equal, at least temporarily, the supportive infrastructure of a nation. Take as an example, albeit possibly a poor one due to the fact that they need temporary support on an almost permanent basis because of never ending disasters, Haiti. After the large timber of support (infrastructure) that keeps that country together is removed by an earthquake or hurricane, the smaller pieces of lumber (Rotarians and other humanitarian groups) are erected for support until a new timber can be installed.

 

Long story short (mostly because I have tired of typing), you are all wonderful little pieces of supportive lumber and together you have the power to support the world!    

 

Speaking of support, the Bar Harbor Pajama Day Sale and Bed Races are coming up on Nov. 12. Please let Carrie know (carriejonesbooks@gmail.com) if you’d like to race or help decorate the float. THIS IS STILL AN OPEN INVITATION! The bed race has recently been a great way to share our message to the community and to involve Rotarians and Interactors in a fun, joint event. If you cannot run or decorate, please come out and support those who do and show your Rotary pride.

 

Thank you,  

Shaun