LEGACY
It Started With a Little Blue Book
As
a little boy, I can remember my dad talking to himself. As he was getting ready for work in the morning, I’d see him standing there, whispering silently to himself. On long family road trips, I’d sometimes get to sit in the front seat with him, and, again, I’d glance over and see him silently speaking. What was he saying? What was he doing? I was always intrigued that when he was having these silent conversations, nearby sat a little blue book. I recall picking it up once and the ensuing grin that crossed his face as my own contorted in confusion. What was this gibberish? It was page after page of nothing but letters. I can still clearly hear his belly laughter as I would haughtily pretend to “read” from this little blue book. My dad explained what it was in a way that I could understand, along with a simple word: Someday.
This
was my first memory of Freemasonry.
Years went by, and I began to understand a bit more about this fraternity. I remember going to Maumee Lodge #725 to see my dad installed as an officer. I didn’t fully understand many of the things that were said, but I clearly recall all of the men and their ladies that I got to meet. Many of them were long-time family friends. It struck me deeply that between my parents and my grandparents, nearly ALL of our family friends had one thing in common: They were ALL Freemasons. From an early age, I knew in my heart that I wanted to be a part of this organization, and knew that I had to wait until I was 21. More time passed. I went to college and became a member of Delta Tau Delta. I later learned that three of the founding members were also Freemasons. When
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ScottishRiteNMJ.org
A petition waits for the fourth generation of the McNaughton family.
My dad explained what it was in a way that I could understand, along with a simple word: Someday. I turned 21, I asked my dad what it took to join. I can still clearly recall the exact place where we stood and the look on his face. It should come as no surprise that he had a petition ready. I went through the application process and made preparations to attend a special one-day event to obtain my Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees in Michigan City, Indiana. We would all be there: my dad, my grandfather, and me. The next week, I returned to Maumee for my Master Mason degree. One of the greatest moments and memories of my life was entering the lodge for the second section and seeing my father sitting there in the East. Twelve months later, I graduated from college and returned
The Northern Light
