Maybe you noticed a number of us weren’t at Rotary on Friday. Chris Holman, Irv Nichols, Kurt Guter, me and Umakanth were in Dearborn for the wedding of Umakanth and Suseela’s son Kavin to Madeline. It was such a joy to be at this celebration. It was restorative and so filled with hope and love. Suseela created a wedding experience for Kavin and Madeline like no other. Traditional dances were performed by family and friends at the wedding under the instruction of choreographer Priya, who conducted classes for dozens of participants across ten states. Irv said he could feel the music in every bone in his body. It compelled you to move! The food was exquisite. Every wedding is a reminder that the couple is about to embark on a journey to see the world through each other’s eyes. Such hope, such promise.
The two day occasion was a festival for the five senses coupled with a sense of community I wouldn’t have without Rotary. I joined Rotary 25 years ago, when Irv Nichols was a boyish 73 years old. Yes, Irv drove himself to the wedding (“it’s not really that hard, the car tells you where to go.”) In the middle of the ceremony, during the blessing by the elders, Uma invited Irv up to take part. A pleasant surprise for Irv I’m sure. Suseela didn’t miss a beat and gave an impromptu, but incredibly heart warming introduction to the 300 in attendance of their dear friend Irv. Irv was revered as well he should be.
We don’t always fully recognize it, but these Friday lunches, Thursday night socials, garage band parties and Saturday morning river clean ups are much more than just dues we pay to belong to a club. We are building goodwill and better friendships which before you know it become lifelong friendships.
At the wedding, I learned Chris was an early mentor for Umakanth when Uma first opened his business. Chris is the kind of guy who shares his infectious optimism and effusive confidence with others. Hanging with Holman is like a trip back to 8th grade for me. Had we been in school together, I can so easily imagine him saying, “I think Myrtelisa likes you, you should ask her out.” Kurt Guter and Pete are simply delightful. Kurt gets that quizzical look when you first talk about a problem facing the world or the club but it invariably and quickly gives way to a bright smile, a solution and a “we can do this pragmatism” that is the hallmark of Rotary and its international projects. Uma announced at the wedding “A Nebula is a region in space where stars are formed. I am proudly announcing the Madeline-Kavin Nebula. The Madeline-Kavin Nebula will be an informal charitable organization dedicated to educating poor school students many of whom may be the first generation in their family to read or to enter college. Educating one poor child can have a greater impact than building one thousand food banks or ten thousand temples. Thanks to the generosity of my brother Madhavan and his wife Malliga, the Madeline-Kavin Nebula has already started work.” Uma encouraged Kavin and Madeline to adopt the charity as their own to create new stars. Talk about working towards a world that is fair and beneficial to all concerned. It was incredibly moving.
Because of this club, I’ve now known Irv, Chris and Kurt for a quarter of a century and Uma for a bit less than that. When I me
t Ken Beachler, he gave me his card. It had his name, telephone number and the word “Director” on it. It took me awhile to figure out that the title made perfect sense. It took less than a minute to know Duane Vernon was a fellow Spartan! Rotary has been the common thread for me in getting to know so many people in Lansing that I wouldn’t otherwise have ever met. I am so much richer for that experience.
t Ken Beachler, he gave me his card. It had his name, telephone number and the word “Director” on it. It took me awhile to figure out that the title made perfect sense. It took less than a minute to know Duane Vernon was a fellow Spartan! Rotary has been the common thread for me in getting to know so many people in Lansing that I wouldn’t otherwise have ever met. I am so much richer for that experience.