Wednesday 9th October 2024 - Meeting a Masonic Legend

Hello all.

What a beautiful day, filled with appreciation for the little victories and meaningful connections.

This morning started off on a positive note—Juli managed to sleep in for an extra 45 minutes, which she said was a much-needed rest. I'm so grateful that she’s starting to feel better. It’s always a relief when someone you care about gets that peaceful sleep they need.

Although I was running a little late and didn't get to work until just before 9am (instead of 8:30), it gave me time to handle a few things at home. With the weather being bad, I had to wrestle with the recycling bin, and with only one clean change of clothes left, I had to throw some laundry in before heading out. But it all worked out!

At work, my main task today was cross-checking the records of our Early Career Teachers, Induction Tutors, and Mentors with the Hub. It may seem like a tedious task, but there’s something so gratifying about seeing that all of our meticulous data matched up perfectly. It's a reminder that attention to detail pays off, and I felt proud knowing the system I’ve kept running is serving us well.

Later, I spent some time helping out in our Year 3 classroom. The kids needed to log onto the laptops to research animal diets. It can be chaotic when you have a classroom full of excited children, but we managed to get them logged in and working efficiently in just 10 minutes! Seeing how excited they were to learn always brings me a sense of joy.

In between these moments, I was also working on one of four iPads that I’m repairing for another school in our Trust. I managed to fully remove the broken screen from iPad number three today, though it was a slow process—removing a shattered screen piece by piece takes patience! Tomorrow, I’ll fit the new digitizer and get that one back in action.

As my workday wrapped up, I shifted gears and began rehearsing my lines for the evening’s Masonic meeting, which was a truly special occasion. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of such a wonderful group, and tonight was no ordinary meeting. It marked the 50th anniversary of Peter Hodgson, a remarkable man who has done so much for our lodge and community.

Peter is nothing short of a hero to Hartlepool Freemasonry. He saved the Masonic Hall from financial difficulties in the 80s and 90s, bringing in new ideas and helping to clear debts. He also set up the Hartlepool Masonic Benevolent Association, a charity I now have the honor of serving as secretary. Meeting him tonight was an absolute pleasure, and I made sure to thank him for all he’s done. It was a privilege to reassure him that his legacy is in good hands and that I will continue to carry on his incredible work.

The evening ended with laughter, good food, and a strong sense of connection. I returned home feeling content but, admittedly, stayed up a little too late watching TV. A small reminder to myself that I need to break this habit and stick to my routine.

Gratitude fills me today—for the tasks completed, for the opportunity to serve, and for the people around me who make life meaningful. Here's to another day well spent.