I write this feeling completely lost. For two years, I obsessed over the Pacific Crest Trail. I researched, practiced, saved, and raised support for both myself and Rotary’s efforts to eradicate Polio from the face of the Earth. On March 13th, I began my journey. A good friend from Los Angeles dropped me off and I took the first actual steps toward realizing a dream that had become a consuming thought.

Within four days, my dream was over. Of all the reasons I could have imagined forcing me off this beautiful stretch of trail running from the border of Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington, I would have never thought a global pandemic would be the reason.

Now, I find myself back in Seattle, six months earlier than expected. My partner and I are living with his family. I am jobless, homeless, heartbroken, and searching. Still, I am not without hope. Standing behind me when I decided to move to Los Angeles and supporting me when I decided to hike the trail has always been my fellow Rotarians. Now, in my current situation, it is them I am leaning on once again. This raises something interesting we don’t talk about enough when we speak of Rotary, the friendships.

Rotary is known the world over for its philanthropy and community service. Local readers of the paper know Rotary for scholarships or perhaps beautification projects. Globally, our organization is known for its efforts to eradicate Polio or building water wells and/or thousands of other projects meant to improve the lives of others. While all of these are worthy and worth bragging about, I think the friendships made in Rotary are lost in the conversation.

In Rotary, this kid from Oklahoma found a support network to guide him through life in a new city. In Rotary, I have made some of my best friends in the world. We have supported each other in heartbreak and loss. We have celebrated new jobs, expanding families, and milestones together. As I find myself back in Seattle once again, they are the friends I am leaning on to navigate these unprecedented waters. The club may change and without a doubt so will the faces, but the environment for deep and meaningful friendships will always remain. For me, that will always be something worth bragging about to those standing on the outside of our organization.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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