Turning Loose

Saturday, January 13, 2007

As a kid growing up we were fortunate to live on a large ranch / farm that bordered on a small river.  Learning to swim was of utmost importance and by my seventh year all consuming.  Some of the older boys tied a long rope in the top of a tall sweet gum tree that leaned out over the river and spent many hours swinging out and diving into the coldwater.  I loved to swing out but could not make my hands turn loose of the safety of the swing and go headfirst into the unknown perils of the river below.  After a few days of returning to the safety of the river bank and the teasing of my peers I decided to end it once and for all.  Pulling the rope behind me I backed away from the river as far as the rope would allow and with all the speed I could muster ran towards the water. The rope tightened and out I flew, to the greatest height I had ever achieved. Just as I was about to release the rope to the cheers of my friends, a strange thing happened. Suddenly my return trip was decided for me as the rope had made its last outward trip, it broke at the limb above and myself and the rope plummeted into the water. To my surprise, there were no dragons waiting on me below and I bobbed to the surface and accompanied by the shouts from friends, swam towards the nearest shore.

I have turned loose of many things since, Friends who moved on, family that passed away, career choices that no longer fit into my goals. Turning lose of the company we owned and managed for forty years last September was one of the most difficult changes I have faced recently. However I have discovered that the thought,( when one door closes, another opens), is very true.

In our association, we are in the constant mode of change and are always turning lose, Leaving the post of chapter or district director is difficult, however we have to turn lose and allow them to grow in their own direction, much the same as encouraging our children to learn to turn lose and seek their dreams. It is not that we no longer care about them, it is that they need the freedom to experience what we have enjoyed.

I have written this letter in my mind most every week since October but only at Paul’s encouragement to step aside and give a level playing field to Melissa, June and CJ did I finally put the finishing touches to it.

A Chinese proverb says that you can not walk backwards into the future, this may well be true, however it is good to check the rear view mirror from time to time just in case you might have made a wrong turn.

I have enjoyed serving you in one capacity or another since 1984 and will be watching to see how things go in the future. We have a good foundation of officers and hard working members who have dedicated a lot of their time and energy in getting us where we are today.

I would not take anything for the experiences we have had or the great friends we have met over the years of belonging to this family. I do not regret anything nor do I have anything to be ashamed of in my relations with anyone or the decisions I have made in any position past or present.

It has been a HELL of a buggy ride so just sit back and enjoy, because it ain’t over yet.

We hope to see you on the road somewhere in the future.

Our Love and best wishes,

Jim  & Margie Hodge