WILL THE REAL EXPLORER PLEASE STAND UP?

Recently, a friend who had retired at the beginning of the pandemic, paused our regular coffee hour. “I have to tell you something,” he said. I drew a breath and waited for the worst sort of news. 

“I want to thank you for bringing me into Explorers, creating a new awareness in me and giving my life a new direction.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” I answered. “You already said, ‘thanks’ and that’s enough.”

“No,” he persisted. “It isn’t enough. I have to say more. My participation in Explorers has been so enlightening and so very meaningful. I never would have imagined the meaning it has brought to my life.”

Naturally, I was flattered and pleased. Other important comments from other people:

“We love being able to get up and out of the house early and come to Explorers.”

“Don’t give up on this program. I’m old. My friends and clubs are gone. This is all I have now.”

“This is fun, so much fun. I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to return to teaching.”

So, what is the point of this? John Donne wrote, “No man is an island.” We need each other. We need to share what we know, and learn what others know. And we need to come together. This is what Explorers is.

When I visit classes, the one thing that I see in every class is that people are engaged. We are learning new things, “visiting” new places, sharing ideas and points of view. What keeps Explorers vital is Explorers. We all bring something unique to the mix. The point is the more you give, the more you get. 

Thank you for being an Explorer!

Gay Porter

March, 2025