First of 2014 and Last As A Youth

The first Highland Games of the year… The last Highland Games of our sons youth!

He began competing on bagpipes exactly 10 years next weekend, and this week he will turn 18. In those 10 years he has worked hard to become a grade 1 piper (next step is professional). This is his first year as a grade 1 soloist and after yesterday it looks as though he’s on his way to great things.

All the years of traveling around, the hours of practicing, the hours of driving, sitting and waiting at his lessons has now affirmed we made the right decisions in helping him achieve his dream.

Before our birthdays my mom used to (and still does) remind us that we would never be that age again and that we had only another hour to be such and such an age. For some reason I thought of that and reminded my son yesterday that this was his last games as a youth. Thinking I was being silly, it didn’t really mean anything to him until he won piper of the day. It was fun seeing his expression when he thought of the fact he finished his career as a piping youth with an achievement he’d only hoped one day to accomplish. (Too bad he had left the games and was not personally handed the award… We received several texts from friends telling him.).  Oh well…. There is always next weekend, and about 5 more this year!!  Yes, it is possible to do this more than once.  🙂

cropped award picture

Our daughter also pulled off a great first games showing by taking two firsts.

I’d say it’s a good start to another year!  🙂

12 thoughts on “First of 2014 and Last As A Youth”

  1. Wonderful news, Sherry! Please pass our congratulations on to the ancient 18 year old, and to his kid sister!

    The SS Teacher and his silly wife

  2. How fast time flies! I am so very happy for the family! Looking forward to seeing them perform this year! 🙂
    Love, Mom

Leave a Reply to A Labour of Love Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.