Thank You. June 25th 2024

      I joked about it,  made light of the duties and responsibilities.  But being asked to be Chieftain for the day at the regional highland games was truly an honour.  You don't have to do a whole lot:   present some medals to dancers, march in a parade, make an opening address, move from display to display, have a beer and listen to some music,  and eventually close the games.  I wore my kilt of course.  Along with my formal attire, Bonnie Prince Charlie tails, vest and bow tie.  I shone up the Gillie brogues and I inserted my Sgian Dubh (skine dune) in my left sock.  I felt like a hundred bucks.   ( I don't know what a million bucks feels like.)   

     I was treated like a person of position all day, and I guess I am of that age where such treatment really feels wonderful.   And that brings me to a confession.   For what ever reason, for most of my adult life I have received treatment that most would consider special.  People recognize me.  For things I do, for things I say.  And as much as I enjoy it,  I have trouble understanding it.   I am of a very average I.Q.  I am not academic.  I struggle with reading and math.  I am certainly not an athlete.  As a kid I rode the pines in pretty much every sport.  I am not tall.......far too short for my weight,  and " easy on the eyes" was never a phrase associated with me.   My politics are so not those of friends and neighbours.   So at times it baffles me how I have come to be treated so well by the kindness of others.  

    Now if you think for one minute that I am complaining,  well I guess I should also mention that I am not  stupid.  I am fortunate.  I have some skills in communication,  and I can be a funny guy.  Those two things buy you a lot.  But there are times I can't help but think there are so many people out there who do so much, so often who never receive the accolades I am afforded.  And, may I add, the world is full of them.  

    Our world gets by on Volunteers.  We have always lived in small towns and rural settings.  In those small towns it literally takes a village to have the things people in larger centres enjoy.  And in those small towns,  you have the stars, and you have the supporting cast.  Figure heads,  large personalities, communicators, and physical specimens take all the air out of the room.   The rest build the field,  set up the props, make the plans, do the actual physical lifting and clean up after the stars. 

     The world ain't fair.  Nope.  Now I suppose it could be said the supporting cast are sometimes people who prefer to live under the radar.  But there have to be times they look at someone like me and  simply think "What the Hell?" 

     Yesterday,  while I strolled around the Highland games,  rubbing elbows with local dignitaries,  and shaking hands and trading hugs,  well it crossed my mind more than once....."why me?  How did I get so damn lucky. "   Well it is just about time I own up to it.  And it is certainly about time I say thank you.... Cause I know.  Really I do.