The Prize Inside
By; Gary Bergenske
Gary and his oldest daughter Carrie
This is a story about a lesson from our youth, it’s a true story about my daughter. We moved to the Orlando area when she was just 7 years old and in the 2nd grade. It was a little hard for her as she had to start all over to make some new friends. It did not take long though, soon she had several new friends, but one in particular was special, she was to become a friend for life. We got to know this little girl real good as the two of them would take turns spending the night at each others home. They looked vary much alike, you would almost swear they were sisters. They were beautiful, I believe they were the two most beautiful girls in the class.
As time went on the girls friendship grew, it was into middle school and they were almost inseparable, always spending time together. By the time they began high school the friendship continued. They were both doing quite a bit of modeling, and their was a little bit of competition between them. Who would get the best modeling jobs, or make the most money. It was competition, but it was friendly, each of them so proud of what the other was capable of doing. They loved and respected each other, and always tried to help the other one do her best. This I found to be a lesson from our youth, for it was always about doing your best, no matter what it was, and the other one fully supported her.
By the time they were Seniors in high school their friendship was to be tested to the max. These two beautiful girls were the final two left in the race to be crowned as the homecoming Queen. I can remember it as if it were just yesterday. Each of them dressed in an elegant formal long gown, with their hair up, and it looked just right. All eyes were upon them as it came close to half time of the game, that is when the winner would be announced. I believe all eyes were not on them just because of their beauty, everyone knew what great friends they were, so everyone was looking at them to see just how their friendship would handle one of them losing.
These two girls had it all figured out already though, they knew how they were going to handle it. Their friendship was deep, and competition was in their blood, they knew how to handle it. You see one of them was going to be the Homecoming Queen, and the other one, well see, she was going to be the best friend of the homecoming Queen. This is a lesson to all of us, to do the best you can, and always be ready to support each other in the best that they do, no matter what it might be. Be happy for each other, congratulate each other, and help them do their best.
Soon they were out of high school and on their way to college. This time they would have many miles between them, but the friendship would still continue on. My daughter went to the University of South Florida in Tampa and her friend went to school in the western part of the United States. They would talk to each other on the phone regularly, and see each other when home for the holidays.
My daughter would come home from USF often for the weekend and then drive back to Tampa on Sunday afternoon. I remember this one particular Sunday afternoon perfectly, my daughter had just left to go back to school when the phone rang. The call was for my daughter, it was her best friend’s sister. I told her she had just left, and she asked for me to get hold of her as soon as I could. You see, her best friend had collapsed that morning, and died of a heart attack at the age of 23.
What happened over the next few days was astonishing to me, how these young people handled this, and the way that they did it was another lesson from our youth. It was expected that their would be a large amount of people for this funeral, you see she was loved by everyone, so a large church was selected. Her friends decorated the halls and rooms of this church like you would not believe. There were pictures, and memento’s and items of hers, what a tribute to her. When the time came the church quickly filled up, and a large moveable wall had to be opened to make room for more. There were several hundred people there.
Their came a time in the service when the preacher asked if their was anyone who might like to say a few words to come forward. I’ve seen this done in the past, and no one ever comes forward at services I’ve gone to for older people. But that was not the case with this young group. A line quickly formed, and for the next hour we listened to many stories about this young lady. Their were tears, and smiles, and even a few laughs as they celebrated her life. What a lesson from our youth I learned that day.
As I look around at all of us that are involved in some Masonic body I get excited. It does not matter where you get involved, it is only important that you get involved. Way to often I hear someone say, if only he would do as much here with us as he does with that other body he would be a better Mason or Shriner. Be happy if someone is involved in a place he enjoys.
I like to think of it as the Prize Inside. You see if we have a member who finds that prize inside of him, that he enjoys he will keep coming back. We need people in all area’s, and if one of you finds a place you like, the rest of us should congratulate you on what you are doing, and be happy that you have found your Prize Inside. The Prize Inside, it is the answer to happiness, and to your continued participation.
You see each and everyone of you are familiar with the Prize Inside, you have experienced it ever since you were a youngster. You experienced it first with Cracker Jacks, that’s right Cracker Jacks. They first started making them in the late 1800’s, with that caramel corn and a few peanuts. With time sales began to fall, that is until they started to put a Prize Inside of every box. What a concept, a Prize Inside of every box, now it’s been a while since they have had boxes, they come in a bag now but sales continue to soar, and every bag has a Prize Inside.
We can soar too, by learning this lesson from our youth. To be sure we always look for the best in each other, to help each other find that Prize Inside that will keep us happy and coming back. To be happy with each other with what ever amount of time we each have to offer any of our great Masonic bodies. The Prize Inside, have you found it ?