By Kent Howard
When I was in elementary school, I wrote our Congressman John Buchanan requesting copies of NASA photographs, I had seen advertised, chronicling the Apollo space program. He responded with a letter, along with a carefully packaged envelope of more than a dozen 8.5 x 11 glossy photographs. My most treasured pictures included the Eagle lunar module and scenes of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin bouncing along the lunar surface.
Over the years I enjoyed looking at these pictures, once I remembered the safe place I put them, and I began to see things I had not noticed as a child. I kept looking at Apollo’s 8’s iconic view of the earth as it was orbiting the moon. The beautiful bright colors of the oceans and the distinct lines of the continents, through the whisps of the white clouds were overshadowed by the reality of our home, suspended in the vast darkness of space. Alone, fragile, and vulnerable.
This picture has been a screensaver on my phone for many years, as a reminder of how small our world really is and how much we have in common. As a child I took a lot for granted. The food on my table, the roof over my head and the people in my life that made things happen, allowing me to be a kid and dream. The coaches that showed up for practice, the scout leaders that planned our trips and the chaperones and teachers that made field trips possible. I grew to understand that none of these things happened by accident. These role models , which included my parents, neighbors, community, and business leaders were willing to invest their time and money in my generation. I believe they were working to leave the world a better place and now it was my turn to do the same.
Joy and Georgie Langley introduced me to world of Rotary 30 years ago. Members of the Vestavia club were visible in the community. They could be found picking up trash, ringing the Salvation Army Bell or organizing fundraising events for the Vestavia Hills Math and Debate Teams. The community’s generosity provided an opportunity for students to travel and compete across the country. Their success became nationally recognized and was a source of pride back home.
Involvement in Rotary was my chance to cross to the other side. From the child that benefited from the goodwill of others to joining other like- minded individuals.
While our days seem to be dominated with stories that divide, you will find 46,000 Rotary clubs in over 150 countries, adopting similar local projects centered around the motto of “Service Above Self” and thinking big. Rotarians around the world united as one, more than 40 years ago, in an effort to eradicate polio from the face of the earth. Our Birmingham Rotary community were early leaders in this effort that created the momentum and that has resulted in providing over 2.5 billion children with the oral vaccine.
Knowing that people of all races, creeds, and colors, have the same desire to create a better tomorrow in their own community and around the world energizes me! It is powerful and hopeful. I don’t feel as alone, vulnerable, or fragile with this shared purpose.
This formula can be applied to almost any issue that faces us when we look beyond ourselves. Our differences have an opportunity to disappear, and we improve the odds of success in delivering impactful results.
Rotary relationships, along with my parents, family, friends, and mentors have taught me what is important, and the Rotary Four Way Test provides the next step with these words; “Of things we think, say, or do. Is it the truth? Is fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships and will it beneficial to all concerned?” With this in my pocket and on my mind, the odds of making better daily decisions at home, at work and in the community are in my favor.
Kent Howard is a member of the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club
English (US)