Season's Greetings to all my fellow Lions

I recently had someone ask me what my favorite Christmas gift I received as a child was. As I thought about the question, my mind immediately returned to the year I was seven. My father made me a custom work bench and placed it under the tree that year. To be truthful, it was next to the tree and certainly made an impression. Along with the workbench was a box of tools, some new, and some old, but all wonderfully useful and unique.

As I have reflected on the significance of those gifts, I think what made this gift so special to me was that it invited me into my father's world. He was the type always to be working on one project or another, often till the wee hours of the morning. There was always something to fix or build for our family or someone else. I remember setting that workbench up in his shop and "working" alongside him on so many Saturday mornings. I learned many skills during those times and have been able to pass them on to my sons.

That one gift was a powerful invitation to learn new skills and enter into my father's world, learn to teach others, and give back to my community.

When I think about Lionism, and the service Lions provide to our community, I think about how we can invite others to join us in making our community a better place. We can invite others to come to a meeting, join a service project, or attend a special event. When others join in, we can help ensure they are equipped to serve the community in meaningful ways. Lions clubs are full of opportunities to try new things, develop new skills, and grow lifelong relationships with others.

As we celebrate the holidays and enter the new year, let us challenge ourselves to invite others to join us and commit to making sure they have the tools to succeed. Our world needs Lions, and all the wonderful ways "We Serve."

King Lion,

Todd