Hi,
I just experienced a sense of something new, and I thought I'd come here to share.
Quick background: I was initiated in 2013, passed to FC in 2014, and then I disappeared. I came back to Lodge last spring (serendipitously), and was raised in January of this year.
So, I've been struggling with some things as of late (three-to-six months or so), mentally and emotionally, and last night I reached out to a brother (who was actually one of my Investigation Committee, and who has shown me great kindness (as all brothers have, surely)), but I reached out to him by text. I let him know this was a "personal" matter and "non-masonic." He called within the minute--in fact, I had just put the phone down when it rang. He was actually able to relate quite specifically to my current state, and was so brave as to share some of his more recent and painful experiences with me. We understood each other. We talked for almost 20 minutes. Nothing profound was said, but he listened to me and he talked to me and I was able to get something off my chest with another guy which is not my normal way of doing things. I went on with my day, and so did he.
This afternoon, I thought to thank him, for his help but also for the immediacy in which he responded, and also for the time and care that he took; so, I shot him a text message doing just that. It was in my wanting to thank him and to let him know that I was doing alright today (and then in his quick response back) that I realized I was experiencing something new, some sense of true caring. I felt a sense of... brotherhood? Is that what this is? I was warned this would happen; I just didn't believe it. I came for the Mysteries, but I'm staying for this.
Thanks for reading/listening.
[Posted in this New Member Introductions forum, 'cause it's my first post here, and I'm not forum-savy. All suggestions welcome. Thanks.]
I just experienced a sense of something new, and I thought I'd come here to share.
Quick background: I was initiated in 2013, passed to FC in 2014, and then I disappeared. I came back to Lodge last spring (serendipitously), and was raised in January of this year.
So, I've been struggling with some things as of late (three-to-six months or so), mentally and emotionally, and last night I reached out to a brother (who was actually one of my Investigation Committee, and who has shown me great kindness (as all brothers have, surely)), but I reached out to him by text. I let him know this was a "personal" matter and "non-masonic." He called within the minute--in fact, I had just put the phone down when it rang. He was actually able to relate quite specifically to my current state, and was so brave as to share some of his more recent and painful experiences with me. We understood each other. We talked for almost 20 minutes. Nothing profound was said, but he listened to me and he talked to me and I was able to get something off my chest with another guy which is not my normal way of doing things. I went on with my day, and so did he.
This afternoon, I thought to thank him, for his help but also for the immediacy in which he responded, and also for the time and care that he took; so, I shot him a text message doing just that. It was in my wanting to thank him and to let him know that I was doing alright today (and then in his quick response back) that I realized I was experiencing something new, some sense of true caring. I felt a sense of... brotherhood? Is that what this is? I was warned this would happen; I just didn't believe it. I came for the Mysteries, but I'm staying for this.
Thanks for reading/listening.
[Posted in this New Member Introductions forum, 'cause it's my first post here, and I'm not forum-savy. All suggestions welcome. Thanks.]
Last edited: