In the words of the American singer Carole King:
“When you’re down in troubles
And you need some love and care
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And I’ll be there
Yes I will
You’ve got a friend. “


This is how I view the members of my Rotary club, not only as people with whom I spend very entertaining Tuesday evenings, but as friends. Little did I know when I joined Utrecht International two years ago that not only would I be able to help others in their times of needs, but that my club would extend help and support me in my own. Without going into too much detail, the last two months have been some of the most stressful yet memorable in my life, namely the passing of my father and the birth of my first child. Never have I felt so mentally and physically vulnerable and deflated in my life. Yet, as Carole King says all you got to do is call, and call (and e-mail) I have done. Not only have the various members at the club lent me a compassionate ear, but have also given me professional as well as practical advice. (The latter has included ringing around to help me find someone to help me around my home.) Friendship is one of the key tenets of Rotary and my experiences at my club epitomize this in its deepest and broadest sense.