Obnoxiously long ramble; past, present and future of kilt-wearing for yours truly

[Tony]

Alan, if this site had a reputation system your post would be repped up the wazoo.

Great post.
Thoughts go out to you and yours.

[long_hand]

Firstly, my sincerest thoughts go out to Alan. Like someone else said..."kilts aren't even in the running". Secondly, people differ. It is a big world and it takes ALL kinds to make it go round. There are "kilters", "kiltists", and "kilties". There are Buddhists, Catholics, Methodists, Celtic Reconstructionists, and maybe a few Scientologists and Hindus. We have full blood Scottish, Gaelic Americans, Chinese, Africans, and I think a few Scandinavians. We have Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, maybe even a Communist or two. There are those who like NFL and those who prefer Rugby and Soccer...or NHL and NBA...or baseball. Even among those you have London Irish fans, Celtic FC fans, Steeler fans, Marlins fans, etc. etc. etc. Need I go into music, books, movies, and food...or have I made my point? Amongst all these differences, we have found eachother on a marvel of technology in an impossible universe and we are united in one issue...the Kilt! Many I am certain would think that this is rather silly. That a forum exists for people who wear an article of clothing is, you must admit, rather odd. However, it exists because there is something unique about kilt wearing, or hell, even sarong wearing, that is special to us. For some, like myself, it is a matter of heritage and ancestral pride. That being said though, I wear the kilt in a casual manner. I wear it with tennis shoes, socks, t-shirts, button ups, even a jean jacket. Why? Because even though I wear it out of ancestral pride...I am also a red-blooded, practical, and rebellious American. People differ...even within their own minds.

Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's all small stuff.

[Detroitpete]

Alan, our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Thanks for your posts.

I think someone posted somewhere on this forum a Buddhist metaphor about kilts. Basically, when one begins thinking about kilts and gets 'into' them, there's so much to absorb and undertand, so much to be swept up in. Then one passes to the next phase which is thinking about what is or isn't proper, or correct, or whatever. Then one moves to the final phase, after having followed the path all the way back around and a kilt is just a kilt. But your connection to it has become rich because of your experience.

So throw heavy things, enjoy your kilts the way you wish.

Just my 2 bits.

[Carolina Kiltman]

Alan

I have outlived many of my friends (and enemies) and have been through much also. I only want to say, you have the important things right! Thank you for all you have done and I have no doubt you will do much more for us.

My prayers are with you and your family. It is very hard to sit and watch a loved one die. Hang in there, the only way through the dark shadows is to walk through them into the light.

[Bigkahuna]

" When you're going through Hell, KEEP GOING!

[kilty]

Forgive the ramble....

To borrow from Shakespear: "A kilt is a kilt is a kilt".

Important moments in your life such as the death of a loved one or being diagnosed with a serious illness changes not only your life but how you think about life. It shows you how precious - and fragile - it really is.

I was always the type that was going to do it "next year". Retire, take a vacation, buy a big screen TV were all going to be done "next year".

Then I was diagnosed with cancer. Wow. What a show stopper. How long have I got? Why me? Then all the petty problems in my life disappeared.

After going through a phase of depression (common in new cancer patients), with the help fo family and friends, I got through it. Successful chemo has put me into remission. But it will return. The question is "when?".

So that's when I decided to start doing the "little" things in life that were important to me while I had the time. Like buying a vintage muscle car like the one I had back in the day. What a hoot.

Along the way, I decided to buy a kilt to honour my scottish-born (MacKay) grandmother who was so good to me when I was a child. I researched what was considered proper attire so that I would not ridicule the kilt. But I also added my touch of personality.

Like wearing a dress shirt, tie and black leather vest with it. Or my cancer survivor t-shirt with a baseball cap that says "Support Our Troops". I add my own presonality to my kilt but would never dishonour it by wearing something that would ridicule it or me.

As to the "rules". Well I follow them to a point. Then I just add my own personality to them. Works for me.