I was sitting in my rosary-making group last Tuesday morning, talking to one of my fellow rosary makers. It's one of those inviolates: no matter how busy I am, no matter what deadlines are approaching, Tuesday morning will find me sitting in the Fr. White room at my parish center, making rosaries and small talk.
She asked me how I had met my wife. I don't have to remember who I was talking to--it had to have been a she. I'm the only male in the group, and one of the youngest. Those who know my gray-haired self will find that pretty surprising. I explained I had met the woman who was to become my wife at a liturgy study group at the same parish, more than a quarter-century before.
"Oh, that is an good place to meet," she observed. "At least you know you have things in common. Better than meeting at a bar, where the only thing you might have in common is drinking."
Now, I'm not a teetotaler, but I had to admit she was right. And her remark got me to thinking of the groups I belong to. There's some I belong to out of obligation, like the Boy Scouts. I joined them to become regularly involved in the lives of my two sons, both now Eagle Scouts. There's others that I belong to just kind of by accident, like a group of us at church that used to plan children's services many years ago, but now we just meet out of habit, more than anything, on the Fourth of July and on Mother's Day—times like that.
Now if you're a joiner, there are all kinds of groups you can seek out and join, many of which address very worthwhile causes. There's animal rights groups and political activist groups and conservation groups, and all sorts of things. There are others, just for recreation, like bridge clubs and great books discussion groups and quilting clubs and many kinds of car clubs. But there are a few which demand a little additional qualification; groups you have to earn the right to join.
Everyone has probably heard the story of Groucho Marx's refusal to accept the invitation to join the presitigous Friar's Club. He claimed he wouldn't join any group with standards low enough to admit him.
But there's that other category, made up of groups composed of people who have received a common award. These groups are made up of people who are set apart from the common crowd; who are people who work as hard as you do; who have the kind of insights you do; who are open and selfless and people you will value for the rest of your life.
I belong to some of those, and one of the foremost is the National State Teachers of the Year. You belong to that group, too, of course. And what so many of us take for granted a lot of the time is the extraordinary nature of the people we meet there. Every time I get a little more involved, I meet someone new who is yet another of those people you never forget.
I can remember one bright summer morning at a stone cabin in Arizona, maybe. My NSTOY friends were all gathered around talking pleasantly, and I sneaked a glance at all the people in the room, thinking, "Amazing. Each one of these people is a major figure in his or her own state and city and district. Each of these people is the very crème de la crème of their hometown educational circle." And every time I start working on a new committee or come to an annual conference or become involved in some project, I tap into the world of a few more of these astomishingpeople people.
I am continually humbled by the people in this group. I am reminded that I didn't just drop in and decide to join. I earned the right, however surprised I may have been by the honor. And you did, too. And the more I become involved with my colleagues, the more astonished I am by the quality of the membership. It doesn't seem to make any difference if they are a part of the leadership, or the newbie over in the corner on his or her first national conference. They have been, without exception, people whose friendship I cultivate from then on. I don't dare lose touch.
No, this isn't a recrutiment effort for increased participation, although I guess selfishly it could be. (Let's face it: You are one of these people, too. If I don't know you, I am the poorer.) This is just the story of a wonderful experience that has lasted so far about twenty years and shows no signs of slowing down. You have the same opportunity to grow to know the same people I have, and the same chance at life-changing friendships. These are educators at the top of their craft, and human beings of that same stature.
And so I reach my hand out with the richest invitation I can give. Don't waste another minute. Join us.
