In honor of lives of service

I just spoke with my mom, on my way here this morning.

She is a serene person and full of faith. She spent her entire career at the University of Sierra Leone where she was a secretary. She tended to be everyone's aunt and was so for many generations of students at the school.

I remember overhearing her talking to someone when I was about 11 years old, about why she served others. "I am a mom", she said, "and I hope that when I am not around, others will treat my own children as I treat the students here". These words have stayed with me all these years, and become real, because in my life traveling the world I have experienced and received goodwill and hospitality from lots of people. My mom was onto something.

One of my reflections today is "Why do we serve?"

And "What happens when we give ourselves in service to others?" I have my own views.

• We get to examine and understand our own values more deeply and refine our relationship with the world and with others in the process.

• We get to trust more easily and much more - because when we give goodwill freely, we expect and see the goodwill in others, especially those we serve, more readily.

• And because we act and we trust more, we become more and more practiced and courageous in finding our own authentic selves, and living more fulfilled lives as a result.

This is a lifelong journey - as is the work of Rotarians and Rotary.

And serving therefore, and also, brings us joy. And the potential for lasting joy.

Today is the 40th day since my dad's passing.

Normally, in our native Sierra Leone, on this day there is a big feast with family and friends to celebrate their life of service and say a final farewell to the deceased. We eat a traditional meal of black-eyed beans and plantains and potatoes, among other things. As my mom will do quietly today in Hartford, as my brother in Johannesburg already did, as my brother in Portland and my sister in New York will do, as I will with my own family in Denver later today.

And this afternoon, I am honored to enjoy a feast with this community of service-givers, who exude joy in that work.

And for this opportunity and the life of my dad, I am also joyful.