May 6, 2008

To all of my Brethren, families and friends,

This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day and as one of my first messages to you as your new Grand Master, I think it is so important that we pause in our daily routine to say a very special THANK YOU and pay homage and remember all of those we cherish and love as Mothers … be they our own Mothers or the Mothers of others whom we love and admire.

We are all a product of our environment and our upbringing. Therefore, all that we are today, everything we have accomplished in life thus far, and everything we strive to achieve, we can and should thank our Mothers. It was our Mothers from whom we learned the meaning of love as demonstrated by their loving care and devotion and the lessons we learned from them as children.

Now, as adults, as mature family members ourselves, and especially as Masons, it is not only appropriate, but it is imperative that we remember and take the time to count our blessings, and to say “thank you!” to all of the Moms in our lives.

May your Mother’s Day be extra special and meaningful. May the warmth of this Spring season touch your heart and may we all fully appreciate all of the wondrous beauty and joys of life as our Mother would have wished for us.

May we take an extra moment to remember the young men and women in uniform who will not be spending this Mother’s Day at home. May the Great Architect of the Universe watch over them and protect them and bring them home safely. God bless you and your loved ones and may God continue to bless our great fraternity and these United States of America.

On behalf of Helen and myself and your entire Grand Line, “Happy Mother’s Day!”

With warmest fraternal regards,

MW Edward G. Gilbert
Grand Master