During my term, I learned that for a person to be fully Rotarized, he or she has to be President.  Being the captain of the ship, I was able to experience the wonderful world of service and fellowship.

Fulfillment of having it done is just but a portion of the story.  The true reward of service came with meeting the people I had the privilege of serving.

One project closest to my heart was “Every Child, A Reader,” a reading and feeding program we did for an hour and a half every Saturday for six months.  We had momentous times like when a child would show progress, and depressing times when we could not convince the parents to bring their child to the program.

One incident I will never forget for the rest of my life was when one particular child was not eating his food.  When we asked him why he was not eating, he said he was saving it for his family.

My heart suddenly sunk.

I could not help but think that it is in times like these when we should reflect on our personal issues to see just how small they are compared to the issues being faced by other people in society.

It is also in times like these when I feel grateful for the opportunities that I have.  That incident truly made me take another look at my life.  It made me realize how much more I should help people like that child, and how I should stop complaining about problems in my life.  After that experience, I just had to be thankful for everything that I have.

At the end of my term, my gratitude goes out to the people behind my being a Rotarian and President.  Thank you for allowing me to have, not just the experience, but the realization of a lifetime.

Doris served as President of the Rotary Club of Paranaque Southwest for Rotary Year 2006-2007.

Francisco, R.A.(Butch), 2007, (a)Musings in the Life of a Rotarian, pages 41 to 43.