I am thankful every day for the family and opportunities Chi Tau has given to me. Every day there is someone to help in some way, something that needs doing. The faith and trust that has been given me astounds me. People tell me I work too hard or do not take enough time for myself. What they do not comprehend is that I absolutely love what I do, what I am able to do, in Chi Tau.

There are times when I am drained, like a pitcher that is poured out, empty and needing to be refilled. Ancilla will say something completely innocuous but with a double meaning that makes me laugh or Trasee will send a smiley or a hug and I am revitalized. Tana Rose, my friend, my confidant, my love, she could not be more different than I am and yet she knows me through and through and allows me, encourages me, to be exactly who I am. Friends and family is what Chi Tau means to me and for that I am and will be eternally grateful.

It is said that family are the people who know you, knew you from the beginning, and stand with you at the end. This is what I have tried to instill in my children, but I have five brothers none of whom really know me. Some say that the real family is not the one you are born into but the one you have chosen after birth. I believe both views are true, can be true. I have been blessed with Chi Tau as a second family, sisters, brothers, cousins, some closer than others. There are squabbles and troubles, what family doesn’t? At the end of the day, it is the people we care for that can hurt us and having hurt us can heal us. If we didn’t care, we wouldn’t bother.

In Chi Tau, people can do as much or as little as they want to. They can join or not, participate or not, dance or not, love or not. I try to help as many as I can and I am often told, “You are busy, don’t waste time with me.” That could not possibly be more wrong. For me, everyone matters or no one does. I am lucky, I am blessed, to be allowed to be part of something that shares this deep and abiding love.