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Today’s Blog Post
Last evening was an unexpected Treat. And because of it I am now committed to serving longer and with more enthusiasm.
Last night I sat among 2,188 years of volunteerism. Last night volunteers from all over our area gathered together to be honoured for their part in our community. The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards were given out to about 300 people from the Peterborough and region.
I was part of the 300. What a delight!
Without me knowing about this, Lang Pioneer Village and in particular one gal by the name of Laurie Siblock had submitted our Lang Volunteer’s names to the Ontario Citizenship and Immigration. Acting on that, this important ministry invited all of us to come and be honoured.
There was another 300+ people to clap us through the awards ceremony.
Thanks Laurie! It was an honour to be among the candidates for this year’s awards. And YES Laurie, you have my volunteer service again for this year… and likely as long as I can come! I love it at Lang and I love volunteering!!
Last evening a very frail older lady was escorted by an older man. He had her arm and was helping her walk to the front to receive her 5 year pin. She began volunteering with the group she works with 5 years ago(actually I think it was longer – much longer). The older man with her was her son. She was 93 years old. At 88 years old she began to help others. Last night they recognized her service to our community.
I thought as she walked over to the stage, “There is hope for me to keep going too.”
After our names were read out for all to hear and the information about the group that we work with was presented, two of our Ontario Members of Parliament stood waiting to shake our hands. MPP Jeff Leal and MPP Rick Johnson stood tall grinning at me.
As people were offering their applause and congratulations Rick Johnson took my hand and said, “I gave Premier one of your decision makers, he loved it. Last week as we sat through the Question Period, the Premier had it on his thumbs and was using it.” All three of us laughed as the audience applauded.(No one could hear that part of the conversation!)
(Background to this inside humour… Rick and I had a long talk one day at the Buckhorn Heritage Days when I was presenting my wood carvings and the Spring Poll Lathe. I had given him one of my “Thumb Twiddlers”, with the “Yes” on one end and the “No” on the other. I told him it was the Politician’s decision maker. He has passed it on to the Premier of our Province. I was honoured to say the least.)
BTW - For some that don’t know… I am also a Chaplain (I am serving as the Ontario Provincial Chaplain to Queen’s Park another Volunteer Role.) In 2008 I was launched into a new ministry of supporting, praying for and encouraging our MPPs in our Provincial Parliament. Jeff Leal and Rick Johnson are two of the MPPs that I have come to know as friends.
Today I feel a happiness that is special. It is a warm feeling that just stays there in my mind and heart. It came when someone said “Thanks Murray for all that you do.”
It started when the bright eyed kids came into Lang’s 1856 Hastie Carpenter Shop… and stood there wide eyed as I showed them what the Carpenter’s Shop is all about. When I told stories about what it was like to work in 1856 their eyes sparkled. It was fastened deeply inside on me when the hot little boy stood near me and asked, “Can I try that?” Then I helped him place his sticky young hands on the 150 year old wood plane and we made the curly pieces of wood come out of the plane.
Volunteering to me is community engagement. Whether it is that hot and sticky, young boy, or the two important Political Leaders that are my friends… it is engagement in a wonderful way.
Thanks Laurie and Lang Village People... you make it possible for that warm and special feeling to keep growing.
Now if you have some free time… I have a great place you can get involved!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
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