Ed Nelson
Registered User
I met with the President of my local Shrine Chapter last night for an hour, talking about different paths of masonic education and service beyond the 3 degrees of the Blue Lodge.
After hours of soul-searching and discussions with my wife over the last week, I believe the Shriners are what I am needing at this point in my masonic journey.
15 years ago, my wife's close cousin was admitted to our local Shriners Hospital in Sacramento to repair her severe scoliosis. As a young man in my late 20's, it made a deep impression on me how these people can change a family's life so drastically and help a 13 year old girl physically, emotionally, and spiritually...for free.
I knew then I wanted to be a Shriner, but was told you had to me a mason for years first (the old rules were Master Mason, wait a year, then York or Scottish Rite, then wait a year). 28 year old me never followed up, and I continued on with my job, my marriage, and trying to start a family.
Last year, I began to feel a hole...something missing spiritually. I have a lot of co-workers, many acquaintances, but no close friends. My family is not close. It came to a head when I purchased a 60 inch tv, got it home, and realized I didn't have a single person I could call to help me pick it up and put it on the stand. I sat on my bed, despondent with the state of my empty life, and knew it was beyond just needing someone to help me lift a tv...I had no one to talk to, confide, and laugh with. My life was work, come home, work, come home.
I needed...something.
I started to research the Masons...my Brother-in-Law's brother was a Mason in my town, and I called him for info. The fraternal aspect of Masonry instantly appealed to me. I petitioned, and got my 3 degrees last year.
Last week, after deciding that my Blue Lodge wasn't meeting my Masonic needs (long story), I began researching again. I found that in California, you no longer need a York or Scottish Rite membership and to wait years to join the Shrine. My heart has pointed me to the Shrine, so that's where I'm petitioning. There is a Hot Sands in 4 weeks in Sacramento (I'm up north, near Chico), so my wait should be unbearably long.
The reaction of my wife's cousin and her family mirrored my own when I told them I was joining the shrine (and much different than when I told them I was joining the Masons).
then...
me: "I joined the Masons".
them: "Huh? What's that? Do you know where the holy grail is?".
now...
me: I'm joining the Shriners".
them: "OH MY GOD!! Hugs, back slapping,and more hugs. We LOVE them!!".
So...my petition gets turned in today, voted on in a week, Hot Sands in 4 weeks. I can't wait to put on that goofy fez!
After hours of soul-searching and discussions with my wife over the last week, I believe the Shriners are what I am needing at this point in my masonic journey.
15 years ago, my wife's close cousin was admitted to our local Shriners Hospital in Sacramento to repair her severe scoliosis. As a young man in my late 20's, it made a deep impression on me how these people can change a family's life so drastically and help a 13 year old girl physically, emotionally, and spiritually...for free.
I knew then I wanted to be a Shriner, but was told you had to me a mason for years first (the old rules were Master Mason, wait a year, then York or Scottish Rite, then wait a year). 28 year old me never followed up, and I continued on with my job, my marriage, and trying to start a family.
Last year, I began to feel a hole...something missing spiritually. I have a lot of co-workers, many acquaintances, but no close friends. My family is not close. It came to a head when I purchased a 60 inch tv, got it home, and realized I didn't have a single person I could call to help me pick it up and put it on the stand. I sat on my bed, despondent with the state of my empty life, and knew it was beyond just needing someone to help me lift a tv...I had no one to talk to, confide, and laugh with. My life was work, come home, work, come home.
I needed...something.
I started to research the Masons...my Brother-in-Law's brother was a Mason in my town, and I called him for info. The fraternal aspect of Masonry instantly appealed to me. I petitioned, and got my 3 degrees last year.
Last week, after deciding that my Blue Lodge wasn't meeting my Masonic needs (long story), I began researching again. I found that in California, you no longer need a York or Scottish Rite membership and to wait years to join the Shrine. My heart has pointed me to the Shrine, so that's where I'm petitioning. There is a Hot Sands in 4 weeks in Sacramento (I'm up north, near Chico), so my wait should be unbearably long.
The reaction of my wife's cousin and her family mirrored my own when I told them I was joining the shrine (and much different than when I told them I was joining the Masons).
then...
me: "I joined the Masons".
them: "Huh? What's that? Do you know where the holy grail is?".
now...
me: I'm joining the Shriners".
them: "OH MY GOD!! Hugs, back slapping,and more hugs. We LOVE them!!".
So...my petition gets turned in today, voted on in a week, Hot Sands in 4 weeks. I can't wait to put on that goofy fez!
