My buddy Dave Rogness has been a member of the Fargo Lions for years.  A few years ago he sponsored me and I became a Fargo Lion.  I must confess, I knew very little about the Fargo Lions until that first meeting. 

It wasn’t as if I had never heard of the Lions before.  I had been to Lion meetings previously in Kindred as a speaker.  In that club (at the time) the members were all men and the women were only there to serve the meal (Lions and food go together).  I didn’t even know there was the possibility that a woman could be a Lion until Dave told me that many clubs are now coed.   That was good to hear as I could not have imagined attending a Lion meeting just to be the meal server…my notion of the world doesn’t really fit with that frame. 

So I went to my first Fargo Lions meeting with Big Dave and everyone was so very nice to me.  If you have not been, here is how it goes: everyone comes in and greets each other before they sit down to start eating lunch and after about twenty or so minutes it is time to sing (conjures up an image that you perhaps are singing for your proverbial supper, but it is much more easygoing than that).  If you know Lions, you know they are a singing bunch.  Honestly, I think folks who love to sing may even have joined the Lions initially just for the singing opportunity (I won’t name names, but he wears red corduroy pants on occasion and all the Fargo Lions know who he is).  They are a mighty group of singers too.  The warmth of their voices fills the room and can’t help but make one happy. 

Our song books are a bit dated.  There are many songs that are way before my time and that I had never heard before I heard them at the Lions (which actually makes me feel quite young).  They are a conglomeration of classics from a time when life and music was decidedly more lovely.  There are no songs by the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Elton John or Diana Ross (none of that "modern" stuff).  No, the Lions song book is not one that tells of angst or revolt; it is one that tells of happy sunshine walks in the park with true loves.  It is charming and relaxing and promotes happiness. 

But there is this one song that is a tad more aggressive.  It shocked me a bit when I heard it first – I am not sure of the actual name, but I think it may be called the Lion’s Roar.  It is not like the other soft melodies in the song book.  I have to tell you, that first meeting as I sat at the table with Big Dave and they sang that song I felt both taken aback and amused.  The song is more like a college fight song than anything and may be a secret known only to Lions (I am not sure on this) so I cannot share the lyrics herein, but suffice to say it has a tad more aggression than their normal fare.  You’ll have to attend your first Lion’s meeting to fully appreciate what I am talking about.

If you know of the Lions you know they have those signature vests that are easy to spot a mile out.  They are often festooned with badges and pins galore and are always worn with a commensurate amount of pride.  I personally do not have one.  The color scheme and design universally clashes with my attire.  When they come up with a sash I’ll be sure to wear that, but until then all I can do is represent well with my little Lions pin. 

I must say, I love my Lion family.  They are such a lovely, caring group of people.  I have been away from Lions now for awhile.  I had to take a hiatus so that I could better focus on wrapping up a myriad of projects.  Today is my first day back to the Lions in almost a year and I must say, I am excited to see them all again. There is nothing quite like the heart of a Lion.  It beats strong and true and is filled with a love for mankind.  You can’t find that everywhere.  To be able to spend an hour each week surrounded by folks who believe it is their responsibility to give back and to help create a better future for others is a gift.  And then there is the singing…what more could a girl ask for?

Day one hundred and ninety of the new forty – obla di obla da

CC