Friday, March 14, 2014

My Laurel Day, Part 2

I suppose it is sort of like a wedding - everyone thinks their own is the best one ever. But my Laurel ceremony was the best one ever (OK, I'm biased). In preparation for court, my hair was dressed in French braids:
 I've never seen my hair look so beautiful (thank you, friends).

The procession began with Drake, who had written a song for me, based on a medieval Danish tune.

Jaquelinne was my herald (it's kind of amazing to hear all of your accomplishments shouted out). Geoffrey and Muriel carried my banner. I don't know if Brid chose them specifically, but it meant a lot to me - they represented the support of my household and my apprentice sisters and brothers. It was very comforting to walk up escorted by Richard and accompanied by my household and close friends.Without these people I would never have made it to this day.

When the procession reaches the dais, the King asks for an answer to his question. Of course I said yes. He then calls for the various Orders to speak on my behalf. Sir Yoshitsune spoke for the Order of Chivalry. He spoke about honor and the qualities related to chivalry. The speech (all the speeches) ends with "she is my peer." Mistress Brid spoke for the Order of the Pelican, about service I've performed. Brid is (was) my Laurel, so I did not expect her to speak for me, but she is a double peer (having been awarded for both her science and her service). That was very special. Countess Thyra spoke for the Ladies of the Rose (former Queens). She told personal stories about how she got to know me. She is so kind. The final speaker was Mistress Siobhan, who spoke for the Order of the Laurel. She had been my apprentice sister until a year ago. She spoke of my pursuit of arts and sciences. When she ended the speech with "she is my peer," I was ready to cry. Siobhan is the only other person I know who pursues her art (weaving) from a scientific perspective. I have looked up to her and respected her for the past 5 years. She never says anything she doesn't mean, so to have gained her respect for my work means the world to me.

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