From a princess to a Lion

By STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

Published: Monday, December 29, 2008 5:11 PM CST

Plainview Daily Herald

(Used with permission of Stephanie Williams)

 

As a young child I remember always wishing that I was a princess, but no matter how much I wished and pretended I never quite got my real tiara and beautiful dress. Even now, that fantasy still hasn't left me. Last year, I finally was able to become a real princess. Not over a castle, but with an amazing organization – the Lions Club.

It was splendid living out such a childlike dream, but the amazing part wasn't getting to finally be a princess, it was getting to know such wonderful, loving people and help them spread that love throughout our community. Kaitlyn True, the queen this past year, and I soon began acting like true Lions and not just honored guests each week.

As the weeks went on, I began to see why someone would want to join such an organization. Between the jokes, laughter, fellowship and, most importantly, service projects, you could see God working through each individual. These astounding citizens were not just acquaintances, they were becoming my friends and family through Christ. I enjoyed everything I did with the members, especially the weekly lunch meetings where I was submerged in the traditions of Plainview's own version of how the meetings were to be organized.

As our reign came to an end, Kaitlyn and I were allowed to say a few words about what the past year had been like. As we both went through our favorite memories and what Lions Club meant to us, I couldn't help but start crying in the middle of my speech. I was so heartbroken to be leaving these amazing people and all the love God had giving me through them. Closing my speech, I ended with, "I would rather belong to the Lions" a song that was sung many times throughout the year during our meetings.

 

At that moment my prayer was heard and placed in the hearts of many members. A week later I received an e-mail explaining that if we wanted, Kaitlyn and I could become members, seeing that we were of adult age and that certain members were going to pay for us to become real Lions. I was so thankful to God for allowing such an opportunity to arise.

 

I am now a proud member of the Lions Club and am enjoying it as I always have. This amazing group of people have been so kind doing all that they do for not only our community but also what they do for me, and I thank God for them and their kind hearts.

So, as I leave -- "What do Lions do? Serve" -- and I am able to serve and no longer do I have to say I would rather be a part of the Lions, because I am.

(Stephanie Williams is a senior at Plainview High School. )