Greetings Everyone!
I hope you’ve all had an amazing summer and are looking forward to a fun filled Labor Day weekend. I remember my Grandmother and Mother saying “Wait until you get older and you’ll see how fast time flies” and boy were they right!
Summer of 2026 is in the history books, our National Symposium has come and gone, our committee’s have already been busy and doing wonderful things and most importantly, we know who we will be inducting and welcoming into our AIFD family next year in St. Louis!
Congratulations to our new CFD and Incoming AIFD members! I’m proud of each candidate that tested in Orlando and look forward to seeing everyone next July!
With September fast approaching, I am looking forward to attending the Swan Island Dahlia Festival and connecting with many of our NW Regional Chapter members. This will be my first visit to the region and I can’t wait!
Fall sessions have started at all our SAIFD chapters across the country and fund-raising events I’m sure are being planned. Shop owners prepare for Homecomings and let’s not forget the late summer early fall weddings! Even tho the temperature here in Phoenix is still in the triple digits, events are starting to pick back up. Fall displays are up in area shops and soon the autumn wreaths will be on neighborhood doors.
I, like many of you always enjoy following fellow members of our organization, family members and friends from around the world on various types of social media. It keeps us close and informed on what is going on in our and their lives. Getting inspiration and sharing ideas with colleagues is what makes us thrive.
Occasionally, I’ll read a post that really makes sense and makes one stop and think. I’d like to share one of these with you all now.
This was read at a college graduation ceremony. My apologies for not remembering the author’s name.
Hate has four letters, but so does love
Enemies has 7 letters, but so does friends
Lying has 5 letters, but so does truth
Failure has 7 letters, but so does success
Cry has 3 letters, but so does joy
Negativity has 10 letters, but so does positivity
We always have a choice, so let’s do our best to choose the better side.
I hope you all have a great September!
Brent Leech AIFD
AIFD National President 2026-2027
