Burlap Hammer: Musings

Musings

Summer, 2015

I haven't blogged much this summer, allowing the incessant nagging of the mundane to embrace me and carry me on journeys I didn't seek out.

Here are a few observations and random thoughts to fill the digital void.

Friendship has as many definitions as there are stars in the sky. For me, friends once met and bonded are always there regardless of the time that passes, events that occur, or realities that impede. This year I have reconnected (on various levels) with many friends, siblings (metaphorical), and connections from the past. It has been a pleasant journey so far. If you are one of those that fall into this consideration, know that I truly do appreciate knowing you and sharing brief episodes of my personal sitcom (exaggeration) with you as we move ever onward through life. Every small contact is worthy of the time we spend on the effort. While some of us have the charisma to make it known to the world what we are feeling at that moment in time, those of us who acknowledge with the short nod or the quiet smile or distant laugh or firm handshake do feel the same things as the rest and are better humans for the act sharing that moment of time with the people that make up our who's-who of friends.

The Shire of Easaraigh held our Northern Regional War Practice last month. It was a small, friendly event. Much fun was had. A big thanks to Ysabel and Corbin for the assist with rapier. It was great seeing many our our regional neighbors on a sunny day in July.

Being a SCAdian in a small shire is hard work. A prosperous group must be cared for and nourished to stay in that state. A struggling group requires the same nourishment for nothing more than survival. I live in the latter. It takes all participants of the group to maintain the health of the group. I have existed in all states of membership in my Shire, from inactive to leader and back again. As SCAdians, it is important to remember that the greatest lesson that we get (IMHO) out of this hobby is the idea of practical service. It takes all participants of this hobby to make this hobby work. Without a willingness to serve there are no events, groups, or society. We go through an evolution of thought as we start 'Living the Dream'. When we truly decide to stay with it is when the realization of a 'service attitude' sinks in. It makes us better people in and out of our element. It is a gift. I try to remember this always in all things. But, I especially make the effort to bring this with me when I am with my Shire because that is where it is most needed. If you live in the prosperous SCA, keep an eye out for the small groups. Never forget that they are sharing in the same 'Dream' as you are, but are doing it without many of the luxuries that prosperity brings. If you are in that small group, don't get caught thinking you are on your path alone. Remember that there are others walking with you, unrealized, that are willing to share the journey with you and share in the joyful burden that is life with the SCA.

I was reminded today of the anniversary of another loss of life. A soldier. A trooper that I shared duty with and responsibility for for a period of his time with us. He was the best soldier he could be. He was his best version of himself at the end. He found his way out of the mundane distractions and temptations that lead us from the path of quality citizenship. Many people make an oath to serve and through innocence or ignorance fail to grasp what that oath means. An oath is a real thing. I was an innocent at first. Anyone who has witnessed that thing called 'sacrifice', that is so often made trivial, is taught the hard lesson of an oath's reality. As a veteran, I know the reality of an oath. It is not a thing to be taken lightly. It will always be cowardly to break an oath, regardless of innocence or ignorance. An oath is a hard thing that does not know mercy or cowardice. An oath is binding. An oath will always be honored and paid in full once given. On this anniversary of a troopers passing, I am reminded of the truth of an 'oath' and what it means.

The 'Hadi Banner Tour' will recommence soon. My friends farewell tour is not done yet.