Two Briefcases

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:

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” - Malcolm S. Forbes.

      Before my father left on his yearly trip to Florida to flee the brutal Chicago winter, he called me to his home so I could take charge of some things.  I will never know his reasoning for this, nor the choice of items that he gave to me or better yet, why he didn’t give me certain other items.

      Did he know his fate was soon approaching?  As I look back at the items that filled the entirety of my Tahoe at the time, it would appear so.  I am grateful for the items that I have of my father’s, but long for some of his personal Masonic items that one day I hope to take charge of.

      But this is not about the have not’s, more so it is a study of the haves.  Years ago, I remember my father’s briefcase, light brown and worn leather, overflowing with papers, books and a small wooden hammer, the top adorned with Masonic emblems.  As he got ready to leave the house one night, he picked up that trusted case and while in full stride towards the door, the lid popped open.  Amidst the rain of papers, books and other items covering the family room, the train of words emanating from my dad about melted the paneling off the wall.  I was just old enough to know to hide my laughter.  Well, try too anyways.  I did not seem to lend any help to my fathers situation.

      It wasn’t more than a few days later that I was being installed as an officer in Lakes Chapter, Order of DeMolay.  As we were getting ready to leave for the Ceremony, my father pulled something out from beneath his desk.  He had in his hand a brand new black Samsonite briefcase, still in the plastic wrapping.  He handed me the new briefcase and told me that I will see the need for this as the years pass.  I told him he needed it more than I did, as I started to relive the laughter from the other day, and as he called a smarty so and so, I noticed the exact same briefcase he was holding out to me also sat next to his desk.  With one striking difference of course, his had a Shriner’s Medallion at the top center of the lid.

      I never put much thought into this case.  I used it here and there, mostly when I served as Master Councilor of the DeMolay Chapter.  It was simple, black and didn’t stand out as flashy, just the way I like it.  There is a simple three digit combination and a latch at either end.  One interesting characteristic of these cases was the ability to open it two different ways.  You see, if you stood it up and opened it, you could access the 2 file folders that had a shallow zippered pouch between them.  If you laid the case down and opened it, you could access the main area in side the briefcase.  In this position, a simple flip of a tab on either side allowed the file folder sections to come down.  Pretty neat for way back then, if you ask me.

      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.

~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"