President's Message- For the New Year

Happy belated New Year.  I hope that you all have a safe, healthy and fun 2016.

 

            As an update, my father is home and doing well. 

 

            I came into my Rotary year expecting challenges.  I knew that being your President would be hard work but enjoyable.  I also knew that my year might have one or more personal challenges.  While this may seem a bit silly to some of you, I knew based on our family dog’s age and health that I might lose him during my Rotary year.  Bode actually gave my family our best Christmas present by being with us on the holiday but we lost him four days later.  Bode was the center of our family for 14 years.  His death has left a hole in my heart which I only hope my memories will fill.  I am sure other pet owners understand. 

 

            The following is a post from my son Andy which he gave me permission to share with you.  I could not have said it any better.  It’s a great New Year’s resolution inspired by the unconditional love of a pet.

 

"As I come back to reality after an amazing Christmas/New Years with with my loved ones, family, friends and phriends I can't help but feel grateful for all the love and kindness I am surrounded by. I say this with a heavy heart as the Kany's had to say goodbye to a beloved family member over that same period. Bode was with us for 14 wonderful years and was the epitome of unconditional love and kindness. It amazes me at how easy it can be to overlook simple acts of generosity and kindness, as so much of it today is monetary or materialistic. But often times the small free things are the most powerful...Whether it be a smile from a complete stranger, taking time to talk and listen to a friend, a hug from a family member, or even just meeting you at the door every day when you get home with a tail feverishly wagging. It is something that can seem hard to practice on a daily basis. But if there is one thing Bode taught me it is that it really isn't that difficult, not at all. We are often just too lazy or selfish to cheer someone up, or listen to what they have to say, or just tell them how happy we are to see them every chance we get. So rest easy Bode, I'm sure we'll meet again and I'll have a cookie for you when we do. And to everyone else, Happy New Year and thank you for being apart of my long strange trip. And if you are looking for a good resolution this year, I have a simple one for you...Be kind."
 

 

 

            Again let’s have a great new year.