by Midnight Freemason Contributor
Bro. Brian J Schimian
There are many ways that people attempt to tell the measure of a Man. But there is one quote that stands out in my mind:
It wasn’t until after my father passed that I gave much thought to the contents of his briefcase. After all, it wasn’t mine and I intended to return it to him in the same manner in which he gave it to me, locked. So the other day I ventured into the storage area of my basement to retrieve my father’s briefcase and make my way thru its contents. As I reached down to grab it, I noticed that there were two matching handles looking up at me. 50/50 shot right? I reached down and picked one up and spun it around. No Shriners emblem. I put that case down and picked up the other one, spun it around and no Shriner’s emblem. I have to admit, the first thing that crossed my mind was, what the heck! Maybe not so clean, I am my father’s son...
I looked back in to the open spot that had held both cases and saw the Shriner’s emblem laying on the floor. I picked it up and took both cases to my office. I tired to take the easy way out, but there was no circle from the adhesive on either case. Both were relatively filled by the weight I felt so on to plan B. I looked at both combinations and finally could discern which case belong to whom. And that is where the similarities end... or more appropriately, begin to get strange...
I don’t know if the contents of my father’s briefcase can truly be used as a measure of the man he was. But it sure does start to add up to something great if you ask me. My father had a way of finding some of the most obscure Masonic items like the “challenge coins” where you could engrave your initiation dates and pendants that have hidden compartments. I was happy to share some of these items with a very good friend and Brother of mine, like my father did with me. He always found the unique and bought more than one so he could share the treasure with me or others. Hopefully, long after I am gone, my son or daughter can open my briefcase and remember the man I strove to be. My briefcase certainly is almost bare compared to my father’s but I also have more time to fill it with experiances. I don’t know if I can ever measure up to the men in my family that came before me: Frank, Harry, Harold or Ron, but I sure will try, for them.
Also, I would hope that the Brother’s of days past and those destine to be called before I am, for refreshment with he Supreme Architect of the Universe, would be welcoming and accepting whence I am called.
For: Bro.’s Ralph, Sam, Tony, Mike, Judge, Father Joe and all those that have helped shape my character, but especially my Father...
Until we meet again,
So Mote It Be.




I don’t know if the contents of my father’s briefcase can truly be used as a measure of the man he was. But it sure does start to add up to something great if you ask me. My father had a way of finding some of the most obscure Masonic items like the “challenge coins” where you could engrave your initiation dates and pendants that have hidden compartments. I was happy to share some of these items with a very good friend and Brother of mine, like my father did with me. He always found the unique and bought more than one so he could share the treasure with me or others. Hopefully, long after I am gone, my son or daughter can open my briefcase and remember the man I strove to be. My briefcase certainly is almost bare compared to my father’s but I also have more time to fill it with experiances. I don’t know if I can ever measure up to the men in my family that came before me: Frank, Harry, Harold or Ron, but I sure will try, for them.
~BJS
Bro. Brian Schimian is Life of Member A.O. Fay #676 in Highland Park Illinois and the Medinah Shriners - Lake County Shrine Club. He was also the Past Master Counselor of DeMolay - Lakes Chapter in 1995. Brian is a husband and father of two. Bro. Brian is also the lead contributor to the Brothers In Arms blog, a pro 2nd Amendment blog page. "Start Square, Finish Level"
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