Address of R.W. Bro. Hermann Waxl
on His Official Visit to Powassan Lodge, Oct. 15, 1999

Small Act of Kindness

I strongly believe that kindness goes hand in hand with care a little, care a lot.

Ours is a troubled world, a rapidly changing society. Yet there is one basic reality which does not change. We humans are caring creatures, from the day we are born to the day of our death, we must care, and be cared for.

Let us turn our thoughts to the things that we as Freemasons show: That we care.

Before, however, we do so, let us remember that the large sums of money donated to Grand Lodge are Fraternal gestures, and do not indicate personal caring in the true sense. I believe, true to our pledge, we are supporting and maintaining our Grand Lodge Benevolent commitments.

These, of course, have their place, but money alone cannot release a person from the prison of loneliness. More important are - small acts of kindness which are bandages for the heart.

We think of the visitations by our Brethren to sick Brethren, and their dependents at home, in hospitals, in senior's homes. Offer older or incapable Brethren, namely "shut ins" to take them shopping, doctor visits, a drive through the country side, rekindle old memories, have a cup of coffee together. Our Grand Lodge just recently released a new program, called Brother to Brother. What better way of showing -- we care.

Masons donate blood to the blood bank. Every lodge has a particular number of donors who are able to give the -- gift of life and always come to be counted for.

There is a little story of an older man and his grandson.

The older man lost his wife, and was living with his daughter. His daughter's idea was that he should just rest, take it easy. She even insisted that her son should not bother her dad.

The old man became very despondent when he was told just to sit there in the sun and enjoy it. one day she came home to find he and his grandson making a garden. The boy ran to her excitedly and told her proudly that Granddad and he were making a garden. It was a revelation to his daughter that all her Dad wanted was to be needed, to be useful.

To care for someone.

There are so many ways we can say we care. It is easy to say something complimentary each day, to praise someone, comment kindly on a Brother's work as an Officer, to a member of a Degree Team, and of course to the Brother who sits beside you at Lodge.

It gives such a lift.

But if one is ignored or taken for granted it is a real letdown.

Not that one seeks praise, but being noticed certainly encourages and uplifts.

It shows we care.

When searching for ways to say "I care" never overlook the magic words -- I need you.

Whatever little we do to show that we care makes a big difference. Find opportunities each day to make some one happier, be impulsive buy doing nice and kind things for others. Show that we care. For whether we care a little or care a lot there is no such thing as a -- small act of kindness

Thank you.

R.W.Bro. Hermann Waxl, DDGM