Why?

Why have I been a member of our Ithaca Rotary for all these years? I can't tell you in a few words, or even several paragraphs. But if you were at this week's meeting when we honored Jack Burns, you and I both have a good clue.

Seventeen years ago when I first became a member, my print shop was very small; I only had one or two employees. And I remember running the printing press until the absolute last moment, rushing home to change my clothes, driving in from Trumansburg, and just making it to the meetings. Why did I do that every week, almost without fail?

Again, no simple answer.

It was just a notion. You know. When something feels right, feels comfortable and necessary, feels like you would not be whole anymore without it.

And then on Wednesday when I looked out from the podium that gut feeling resurfaced. It seemed everyone had something in their eyes and in their demeanor. A smile, a glint, an enthusiasm. Here was a long-time member whose cherubic manner and muse endeared him to all. Was everyone stricken by sorrow to see Jack go, and also by joy at remembering Jack's many gifts to us over the many years?

Is it possible that we all shared the same emotions in the very same moment and that we all knew right then why we are Ithaca Rotarians?