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I am Jack’s Jaw Dropped in Shock.

Dear Unknown Friend,

At 10pm, last night Brother James Woodward, Secretary-General of the Orient of Utah, Valley of Salt Lake called me. As the phone rang, I first thought it was about the office computers as we are in the process of rebuilding them and I am taking great pains to a) make sure we loose no data (even the data no one can tell me about) and more importantly b) keeping even non-technical people in the loop so they have confidence and understanding of what is happening and that they have no surprises. I considered for a moment not answering. It was late, and I was still arguing with the family about my coming marriage, and bantering on about disaster recovery just wasn’t on my list of things to do at that time.

I decided to answer it because Brother Woodward would never call me so late at night without reason.

His message was simple: “you’ve been elected by the Supreme Council to be invested with the rank and decoration of a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour”.

For those who don’t know about this honor, here is a brief summary from the Supreme Council: The Rank of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor is not a Degree, but an Investiture, bestowed upon members deserving recognition for faithful services to the Rite or to mankind. At the biennial session of the Supreme Council, certain Masters of the Royal Secret are chosen to be invested with the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour. The respective Sovereign Grand Inspectors General or Deputies nominate members for this honor, and they must also be unanimously approved by The Supreme Council. This Investiture is a prerequisite to receiving the Thirty-third Degree. The Rank of KCCH may not be requested, and if requested must be refused. The cap of the Knight Commander Court of Honour is red with a darker red band trimmed in gold. In the center front is a representation of the Knight Commander Jewel, a Passion Cross with fancy arms, featuring in the center a trefoil embroidered in green encircled by “Kt∴ Comm∴ Court of Honour” embroidered in gold.

Needless to say I was a little stunned. Me. Something must certainly be wrong.

We talked a little bit, but the part of the conversation that really hit home was when he said “This is well deserved, young man”.

I don’t do what I do for reward or adulation. I do it because I am compelled to be of service to my Brothers. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate an “atta-boy” now and again, I think everyone does, but I’d do it even if I never got one. More than the decoration, knowing that I impressed Brother Woodward, a man I respect and try to emulate, means far more than three new letters in my official designation or the color of my cap.

Even if it isn’t true - it is a pleasant fiction.

Though I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. People like me don’t get invested as a K∴C∴C∴H∴. Something must clearly be wrong.

PoTS

J.