Most you are aware of major changes in my lifestyle during the past few months. I have closed my shop of over 45 years as a florist. Since my surgeries in February and March I have relocated my office to my home where I am especially blessed to have my grand daughter Alexis, Rudy and their delightful children living at Magnolia House.

For many years there has been a gate separating my patio from the cottage patio. One day I noticed the gate was secured in an open position.

This spoke to me of the love, warmth and "open" relationship between our two separate spaces. I also reflected on the symbolism the many messages a gate embodies. Closed it might signify security or a barrier, depending on the viewpoint. A closed gate also conveys promise, mystery, excitement and/or opportunity.

I have chosen the many aspects of "GATE" as my theme this year because of all the ways we view the gates in our everyday lives. The possibilities are endless but we must first open our gate of awareness to take advantage and understand.

ABWA provides a myriad of gates for individual members to claim as their own. There are opportunities for knowledge, networking,  and friendship as well as the security of belonging to a national organization standing behind each member no matter where our journey in life finds us.

I pledge as your president to provide leadership with all the gates ABWA offers. I challenge each Lamplighter to use any and all of her available gates.

Blessings, Dorothy Rose, President 2008-2011