Christmas is traditionally a family time. When Joan and I lived in London, Joan and I always went back to Ireland for the Big Family Christmas. Coming from the same town, it was easy for us to share in each other’s family Christmas. Everybody looked forward to the gathering of the family for Christmas. I always tried to be extra careful at Christmas so that I did not have an accident etc and end up causing a damper and upset for both families. Coming together at Christmas was, in itself, a celebration of the family and a time for family joy.
Yet many people do suffer tragedy at Christmas and to my mind this makes it doubly bad. As Rotarians, while we enjoy the closeness of our own family at such a time, we do not forget others who may need, help, solace, funds, shelterboxes, etc.
While Joan was training to be District Governor, I learned a very valuable lesson in setting priorities regarding Rotary, family etc. We were in discussion with a local company about taking a stake in the company and providing working capital. It was a complex business with many wrinkles and I was deeply immersed in the numbers whilst Joan was doing the training and so spent most of my time in our room on the computer working the numbers.
One evening, having emerged from slaving over a hot compter, I was passing through the bar when I was accosted by a crusty, old fashioned, Past District Governor (who had a little bit too much to drink) - not from our District I hasten to add! He tore a strip off me for not attending the various functions as Joan’s partner. I was not amused … in fact I was quite angry at his outburst - you would think it was his money that paid for my travel and hotel!
I met Stuart Heal (who was the Rotary Zone coordinator at the time) as I walked off, with steam coming out of my ears, and told him that I was seriously thinking of resigning from Rotary after such a diatribe. I told him that if it were not for Joan being District Governor Elect that I would have quit there and then.
He sat me down with a drink and told me that if anything like that happens again, the answer is this ALWAYS! Family comes first. Business comes second. Rotary comes third. End of story.
It has stood me in good stead over the years.
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