441 F&AM

There was a quote I heard twice tonight "Freemasonry makes a better man out of a good man".  Surprisingly I don't ever remembering hearing that quote ever, even after attending many Masonic functions, going to the lodge, Scottish Rite. Though tonight was the first time hearing it and I realize the it was everything that my Pop was. Masonry showed in his every act of kindness, in everything action and it was the way that he lived his life. Pop taught us what Freemasonry taught him: strength of character; the importance for morals and spirituality, one's personal commitment, responsibility and love for community and country. Tonight I saw my Pop's memory in the faces of his Brothers (Uncle Noe Acosta, Uncle Joe "Nonie" Lazaro, Mr. Estep, Uncle Chico Alvarez) Every smile tonight gave me comfort, a feeling of belonging & of community. I have never been so proud to introduce myself tonight as"the daughter of Marion "Tony" de Leon. Words can not explain how full my heart is, it swells with happiness tonight. I think I'll look for Pop's Hiram Award Medallion and wear it around the house next time. I don't think he would mind!

Congratulations Uncle Noe on a well deserved award!

Memory: Pop pacing in the living room practicing from his ritual. 
Photo: I posted on Facebook (Father's Day 2012) Also a photo of Uncle Noe, Uncle Ed Jury and Pop attending Grand Lodge)

My 8 minutes

Dear Pop,
I wanted to start sharing my memories of me and you. I was afraid that one day I would forget many of the details. My memories of you are scattered online, scribbled in old journals, in a notebook and in my dreams. Yesterday I heard another quote that summed up this reoccurring feeling that many times would make me tear up. It is also the reason why I push myself to start my/our blog today. The quote was from the movie Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. "It was a year since my dad died and I could feel my eight minutes with him... were running out."

So today I refuse to let my 8 minutes run out! It is blogging day #1. I'm listening to what you'd call the "oldies but goodies" some Sly and the Family Stone in the hopes it sparks a memory!



Memory: Our VW with the pop-up camper shell, on an incline, pushing 4th gear and a 70's Rock cassette tape blasting...