Today was Martin Luther King Day, and as we gathered on-line for our Noon Zoom Meeting, it’s quite possible that we had Dr. King’s prayer for peace within our hearts. Bruce had Old Glory on hand, as we joined Pres. Matt in reciting The Pledge. In her Invocation, Judy thanked Our Dear Heavenly Father for all His Blessings. It being MLK Day, she also reflected on Dr. King’s quest for justice, equality, and dignity for all mankind. MLK asked, “What are you doing for others?” This question reminds us of the service we give to others in being a part of Rotary.
Matt welcomed today’s guests, and that included Sharon, (one of our regulars), Tracey (B and B owner), and Cindy, who is soon to join us a member. Adding the 21 members who were on-line, that brought today’s attendance to 24! Matt reminded us that dues are due.
Earlier this morning, we had the January Board Meeting. Here is a recap of the items that were covered. The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports were approved. Susan has sent out a detailed report on the Grape Fest. We have been fortunate to have been able to make up for some of our deficit. Should the Lucky Ducky Derby and the Trout Derby take place this year, that will ensure us of a better position (financially).
The Board approved of three new potential members to be added to the Membership. They are Sandra Bierbrauer, Betsy Lewis, and Cindy Scoda. (Cindy has joined us for some recent meetings.)
The Board approved the decision to donate the Bill Vierhile Award, in the amount of $500, to the Bristol Valley Theater. A check for this amount will be sent to the BVT very soon. Many thanks to Rose for being “Our Ambassador” in this endeavor! (Please pass on this news to Karin B. Thanks!)
As you know, Jamie has taken a leave from Naples Rotary at this time. That decision has left a “void” in the position of Awards Chairperson. Tom has graciously offered to take on this role! All were in favor of this kind offer! Many thanks to Tom!
The Board agreed that we maintain our current meeting schedule. We shall continue to meet at 12:00 Noon on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, and we’ll gather at 6:00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. In terms of Honorary Membership, we will continue as usual since there is no financial burden to the club, and according to Pres. Matt, there may be times when these members would be factored in.
There are some new chairs for various events. Many thanks to Sherry for enlisting Micah Moore as the new Trout Derby Chair! Also, Skip noted that Marty and Jill have offered to take on the chairmanship of the Lucky Ducky Derby. Thank you to all of you! Hopefully, these two events will occur!
President Matt is so glad that he will be “out of quarantine” as of 12:00 Midnight tonight! He surely appreciated the “steak dinner” brought to him by John, Sherry, Tom, and Katie! While in “Quarantine,” Pres. Matt has been doing some catching up and, of course, it included some extra reading! Since Renea couldn’t be “with us” today, being “snowed in” up in the Adirondacks, Matt had an alternative program lined up, which turned out to be very moving and very poignant, indeed. Matt has been reading “Being Mortal,” by Dr. Atul Gawande, a surgeon in the Boston Area. Dr. Gawande addressed the end of life aspect, and of how modern medicine has dealt with this topic. Thanks to Bruce, we were able to view an excerpt on CBS This Morning, in which Dr. Gawande shared his thoughts on the end-of-life experience.
Part 1 of today’s Program focused on the question of “What does one understand about end-of-life?’” Also, the questions of “Where is one regarding his/her personal health?” Also, “What should we be asking for, in terms of care, at that point in time?” Seriously, these are mind-boggling thoughts for us to consider, yet, when that time approaches, how does each of us want to live, and be remembered? Dr. Gawande recalls his own father at the family dinner table, and of how love and responsibility wove its way into end-of-life decisions for him and his family.
Speaking of being “a fighter”, this leads into Part 2 of today’s program, when our own Tom stepped up to the plate, and shared his own ten-year battle (with serious health issues) with us. He told about the medical challenges he has faced over the last ten years, and truly, after hearing of his ongoing battle, it has not been an easy hurdle in the least!
“Forget the life you have planned, and accept the life that awaits you,” said Tom, as he told us of his diagnosis of having pancreatic cancer, which is the fourth most lethal form of cancer. His emotions ranged from scared, angry, upset, and confused as he wrestled with this diagnosis, and as he tried to put his affairs in order. Tom chronicled all the events over the last ten years, as the cancer spread to his liver, and as he tried various treatment options. Many side effects, of course, were incurred, but in listening to Tom tell his story, it seems like his spirit remained strong and invincible.
Tom researched treatment options as the cancer seemed to spread between 2018 and 2020, settling in his liver and spine. He has chosen chemotherapy, and he has continued to fight, in spite of developing diabetes. Tom said that within the next two weeks, there is a new chemo approach that will offer some added hope, as well. Tom noted that there are three phases to this predicament: 1. Hope to find a cure, 2. Hope to prolong life, and 3. Palliative, prolonged care.
Tom’s optimism and spirit continue to be a driving force within him, as he says he hopes to live to be 80!! His Dear Family has been instrumental in helping him to maintain his positive outlook, not to mention Sweet Milo, his beloved pup! Tom added that his (Rotary) friends have had a positive impact on him, as well. He is now looking at life through different lenses, and that includes mindfulness, spirituality, and being present. He ended his talk with the poem, “I’d Pick More Daisies.” In this poem, we are reminded to seize the moment, but it seems Tom best summed up the true meaning of life with these words of his: “The more we share from the heart, the more we bring out the heart in others!” Thank you, Tom, for sharing your uphill climb with us, and most especially, for sharing your ongoing zest for life! You are truly an inspiration to us all!!
After Matt’s and Tom’s presentations, we were invited to offer our thoughts and feedback on today’s subject. Many of us, including Matt, Jack, Rose, Bruce, Alex, Frank, Susan, and John, thanked Tom for his inspiration and candor. His story was powerful and uplifting, that is for sure! Matt’s topic generated some great feedback, and some thought-provoking issues, as well!
There were no noted Fines today, but it would go without saying, that Tom’s and Matt’s programs were powerful and “impactful”, as they say. Tom’s courage and resilience is beyond belief! Many Happy Bills were given in appreciation of his courage and strength! Pres. Matt generated some great “food for thought” in telling us about this great read, Being Mortal.
Blanche had the perfect Rotary Moment for us today. In keeping with the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., she told us a bit about Naples History. She had been thinking about the Black Lives Matter Gathering that took place awhile ago in the Naples Community. Next door to where the gathering took place was Billy Marks’ house. Billy was a Naples abolitionist, who harbored slaves, and helped them escape to freedom in Canada!
Next week, we’ll meet at 6:00 P.M. for our Evening Meeting, on-line. The program is yet to be determined. I thought I would close in remembering a comment Tom had made earlier during today’s meeting. He recalled how Frank had a way of connecting with people. “Let’s continue to have dialogue!” encouraged Tom!
