Brotherhood of St. Anthony’s, October 23rd, 2010

I was fortunate enough to have been asked to represent John Perdigao, Luso State President this last weekend at the Brotherhood of St. Anthony’s Annual Convention. I was to present Grand President MaryJean Perry with a token of Friendship and I think I got more out of it then I thought I would. Originally I was unsure as sadly I still do not know a lot of people outside of Luso in other societies but truth be told I’m glad I went. I know that in the next 5 years, I will be running into many of these people and I’m truly looking forward to meeting and getting to know them.

I was originally going to go with my Dad, he knows everyone and had been at this convention in the past during his time in line and as state president but due to scheduling conflict Mom served as my date that night and I’m glad she did. We had a great time even though we were unaware of it being a Luau. I would have loved to throw on a summer dress (even though it was cold and rainy) with a pair of sandals and a lei. We were greeted immediately by someone who remembered my Mom from my Dad’s term in 1998 and that took some of the nervousness away from us and we began to relax. I found too that Tish Cardoza was there as well representing SPRSI with her Grandmother and we joined them at their table.

Nervousness aside mom and I had a great time experiencing a different convention from Luso. Its always interesting to see how other Fraternal Organizations honor their presidents and their members. There was such a closeness about them all and they all seemed to be there to Honor Mary Jean and her husband and to have a good time and make a bunch of memories.

I was reminded quite frankly by Tish when I didn’t want to get up and dance to the chicken dance (in honor of the Giants winning the pennant..YAY) with everyone that my theme for my Committee and my year is “Celebrating Fraternalism and Our Traditions” and I realized she was right. I was there to celebrate another fraternal organization and their traditions and while at first I may not have wanted to dance I realized that this is why I’m here. I’m here to celebrate with them and make new memories. So I did, I danced, I participated in their Grand March and met some new people I hope to see again in the next 5 years. Thanks Tish for that reminder.

Thank you John for giving me the opportunity to represent you at the St. Anthony Convention and hope I did you proud. Thank you to MaryJean Perry and Convention Committee for the lovely gifts, wonderful dinner and for the extremely warm welcome my Mother and I received. We had a great time and thank you so much for the memories.

Maholo!