Quick March » 2008

What it's all about!

December 5th, 2008

Is it amazing how a child can inspire you? In many ways, they make you recapture your youth and bring you back to center, making you realize why you do, what you do.

The other day, I went to the mailbox and sorting through the mail, there was a letter from Scotland. My first thoughts were, “hmm I don’t think I’m expecting anything in a small package ??”

As I opened the letter up and read the contents, I had to smile and respond to the request. For security of the youg lad, I will not disclose his full name and actual street address, but after you’ve read this, I hope any of my comrades in the band and other pipe bands contact me for his information and do the same and send him something.

The letter read as such, in a young childs handwriting in Perthshire Scotland:
“I like collecting photos of Pipe and Military bands for my band photo collection. Please may I have a photo of your pipe band with a St. Andrew’s Pipe Band patch for my band photo collection. I would greatly appreciate you sending them to me, Your Scottish Friend, John………”

This letter warmed my heart and soul. It’s hard to explain, but as simple and plain as it was, it struck home. Through out the years, I’ve done a lot as a Piper and I’ve probably seen and done things, others can only dream of, a long with many of you in the piping world. Sometimes we get so lost in the politics, the personal stuff, competing to be the best or bragging that we are, etc, we forget the simple plain basic fact why we do what we do… and that is the fact we love our music and our culture. It’s almost like a certain kind of magic.

Do you remember the first time you ever heard bagpipes? Was it when you were a young child like John? What went through your mind? Did your heart start pounding like the drums keeping the rhythm? I can remember my first experience. I was maybe three or four years old. My parents had taken me to a parade in Charlottesville and a small group of pipers came marching down the street. I was awe struck. I tried to break from my parents to follow those kilts up the street. I didn’t want to see what was behind them, for they had my complete attention. Having a mother telling you that it is what you come from didn’t help put the bug to rest either. I still have a bumper sticker Momma had that says “Save the Argylls! in its’ red & white dicing, from the Sixties when Parliament thought about disbanding the Regiment then, only to allow it to survive another forty years. The first time I saw the Edinburgh Tattoo, it was pouring down rain, and I could have cared less if the rain kept pouring down or not. I was happier than anything to get to see the event. As an adolescent, I finally got my first lessons on the chanter from Bruce Dickie, and the words he spoke burned forever in my brain, “If I cannae see heather groin on the hill when I close my eyes, then yer not playin’ it right lad!”I hope he see’s the heather now, may he rest in peace. None the less, what we do in our craft is a blessed gift, and it’s a gift that we can’t hold to ourselves. It was given to us by someone before us, and it’s up to us all as pipers and drummers to pass it on.

So, the next time you’re wearing that kilt and playing the pipes or drums, remember, there are young eyes upon you that will see you, and perhaps, just perhaps, you might be the influential element that produces the next medalist, or piper/drummer for the next generation. Now that’s enough to make any of us march with pride I think.

For any of you in the SALPD or other bands who would like to send John some photos and memorabilia, email me and I’ll pass his information on to you.