So honoured

[Stratherrick]

Well, my 11 year-old stepson, Kristopher, surprised me over the weekend just gone, and here's why... We, my wife, Rexie, Kris and I, were on a weekend break up in the Highlands, mostly centred around Inverness. As per usual, we dropped into the Highland House of Fraser shop by the River Ness in case they had any offers on.

Now, a few weeks ago, Kris had asked me if he might, one day, be able to wear a Fraser kilt? He has a McDonald one as his biological father is a Howe, one of their septs. His surname is Akwei-Howe, a combination of his mum and dad's names. I replied to Kris that he could wear a Fraser kilt any time he wanted because I am married to his mum and he, therefore, was as much family (clan) as his older sister and my two biological children. I did, though, say it might offend his dad and to think carefully before getting anything in the future.

Back in the shop, Rexie and Kris were thumbing through some tartan swatch books while I was looking at some rather ornate sgians across the way. Then, out of the blue, they both called over to me to come and have a look at one of the books. To my utter amazement, they had decided to get Kris a made-to-measure kilt in the Modern Hunting Fraser tartan, a slightly darker version of the Ancient which I use as my avatar, and the one in which my only kilt is made! I got quite choked. Without wishing to upset the scene, I let everything progress with the sales assistant (good job, Grace Chisholm!) taking his measurements etc.

A little later, as Kris was off looking at kilt pins, I got Rexie to one side behind some Arran jumpers, and begged her to reassure me that all this wasn't going to cause a rift between us and Kris' dad, with whom I have a good relationship. Rexie assured me that she had talked everything through with my young lad, who I have brought up since the age of three, and, not only that, but Kris wanted to wear a Fraser kilt out of "love, respect and thanks" to me for taking such good care of him over the years! Well, that finally set the waterworks off and I was left dabbing my eyes with a tissue.

I had the biggest smile ever when I wandered over to put my arm around young Kris' shoulder as he was looking up at some fancy sporrans... So, there it is, another proud kilt-wearer is setting out on a life path where he's sure of himself and his choices.

Cheers

Bruce