I am preempting my planned article for this month following a personal experience that needs to be shared. First, personally and on behalf of my family, I thank all of my Kiwanis family for your thoughts and prayers after learning of my sister's passing. Your comfort and condolences prove yet again that Kiwanians are the most caring people on earth. We truly appreciate you!

I feel compelled to share this story with you, not only for its cathartic value, but because I believe we can all learn from my sister's example. Many of you were not aware that I had a sister that was terminally ill. Fact is, she was diagnosed less than 10 months ago and was living vibrantly right up to the last month. She wasn't admitted to the hospital until Nov 8th, but the final days were mercifully swift.

Her proper name was Jacqueline Marie, but we all knew her as Jackie. In a world of people whose glasses are either half-empty or half-full, Jackie was a person always in search of a towel because her glass was overflowing. Some would criticize her for being naïve, but I think she simply chose to overlook human failures and instead, focus on the inherent capacity for goodness that we all possess.

Despite a ten-year age difference, Jackie always made me feel welcomed. I suspect that wasn't unique to me, but you can imagine how great it felt to have a teenage sister that actually wanted to have her baby brother along while she was out with her friends!

I've heard many a story about this bond that apparently began as soon as I was born. At ten years of age, Jackie was the only girl in the neighborhood that had a real live baby doll. And, as the stories go, she had no qualms about tossing me in a carriage and wheeling me around town to show everybody, much to my mother's consternation. That may also explain why I feel compelled to stay on the move all the time!

When Jackie grew up and it came time for her to leave home, she chose a profession of service. Back then, in the late 60's, they were called "airline hostesses" and they really did "host" the passengers. She did that for four years before starting a family and moving to a "gentleman's farm" in rural central Missouri where, along with her husband, she raised her daughters, spoiled her grandchildren and devoted any remaining free time to serving her church and congregation. Not so coincidentally, that church was built on a large parcel of land that used to be part of that "gentleman's farm". If Jackie had it to give - she gave it, whether property, service or love.

Jackie was not a Kiwanian, but her life was the epitome of the Six Objects of Kiwanis. It was never about her; it was about "how can I help someone else?" She gave freely, sought to serve others, and brightened every room she entered. She did it with a smile on her face and in her heart, and never cared if anyone was watching or if anyone noticed her good works.

When I learned of Jackie's terminal hospitalization, I wanted to visit with her one last time but her condition deteriorated so rapidly that the last chance I had to speak with her was by phone two nights before she left us. When I asked if she could handle a visit, she calmly replied, "Oh, I don't think that's necessary. It was a good life. We made the best of what we could and had some good times together. I guess it's just time to say goodbye for now, baby brother."

She sounded so peaceful, so accepting - and expecting nothing from others - right to the end. She lived that way for 58 years, and then for reasons known only to God, the warm glow that was Jackie abruptly faded and went out.

So here is my bottom line: Life passes swiftly and none of us know how many days are left on our clocks. Yet every one presents us with an opportunity to change a life, for better or for worse. And just like the Kiwanis "One Can Make A Difference" video, that one child whose life you touch today may grow to touch dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of lives as an adult.

My sister, like King Solomon over 3,000 years ago, realized that earthly ambitions are nothing more than a "chasing after the wind." The only thing that matters in life is to use the gifts we have been given to glorify the One who bestowed them upon us, and that is best done in humble service to others.

In her memory, I am asking each of you to take a closer look at how you invest your time and talents. Do you miss the opportunity to mentor by criticizing instead? Do you pass up opportunities to contribute to successes because the ideas aren't yours, or because you don't understand why you've been asked to fill a certain role? Is there somewhere in your life where you can de-emphasize the "me" and invest those resources in serving others, whether it be your family, your neighbors, a school or house of worship, a civic organization - or your Kiwanis club, division or district?

Be The One making a difference.

Yours in Kiwanis Service,
Tom Ganse
Governor-elect, 2007-2008