[Ansteorra] Make a Wish tourney

[Mahee]

An old but true story that should be remembered especially in this season
- - - - - 
The original story as was told upon these steps.
 Long ago in a kingdom on the West Coast, there was a small tourney.
(This tourney was the first “Make-A-Wish Tourney that I ever
attended.)

The Foundation had brought a small eight-year-old boy in a wheelchair
to the event. It was his “heart’s desire” that he should be “King for
a Day.” As with all who qualify for this foundation, he was dying. He
had cancer of the brain and the doctors had given him 2-3 months more
to live. He was wheelchair-bound, and on medication, but much more
alert than most expected.His cute brown hair and big eyes seemed to
eat up everything he saw! The day was beautiful--not overly hot--and
the skies were clear.

The populace had crafted a crown, a scepter, and a cloak for “His
Majesty.” As we stood and bowed as he was brought down the center
aisle for Opening Court, the wind picked up and sent the banners
snapping in the breeze. Two knights attended His Majesty as well as
his Mother, who walked behind. Her eyes were misty as she watched
total strangers giving her son his dying wish.

During Opening Court, the combatants for the day came forward and
pledgedtheir fights to His Majesty’s honor. Without prompting, he
smiled, thanked them, and wished them well. He was so grown up in his
manners and speech. Everyone’s heart caught in their throats. Towards
the end of the day, “His Majesty’s” attendants requested an audience
with the Knights’ Council and the King (ours).

 At the council meeting, one of the knights requested that, as this
small child had through out the day shown bravery, honor, chivalry,
and courtesy, he should be knighted by our King for real. This knight
offered his own belt for the lad, another came forward and offered his
chain, still another offered his spurs, and finally,the last knight
who came forward offered his “dagger” to serve as a sword for the new
knight.

 There was one of the older knights who objected, saying that “they
couldn’t possibly knight this boy, who first was not a member of the
Society, and who secondly wasn’t even a fighter!” But as our King
pointed out, the child was dying and wouldn’t live to grow up to be a
fighter, but that he had been fighting this disease all of his life
and had been able to be courteous through it all!

The older knight sat down. Also,the King continued saying, that he
himself had also watched the lad, and indeed he could attest to his
bravery, for he never showed any discomfort,to anyone. At closing
court, His Majesty was knighted! Those attending court cried,those
knights who gave up their own items cried, and the day ended.
But this is not the end of the story. Nine or ten months later, his
Mother came to an event. She wanted first to “thank us” for making her
son’s last days so happy and to let us know that the doctors had
credited the Society and it’s actions with prolonging the child’s
life. She also said that when things got really bad, he never cried
because he said, “Real knights had to be brave and since he was a real
knight now, he had to be brave, too.”Also, she wanted us to know that
he died with his belt, chain, and spurs on,holding his sword. She had
buried him with the sword, belt and chain, but wanted to return the
spurs to the knight who had donated them.

The knight in question rose and knelt before this lady, [saying] “It
was an honor, My Lady, to count your son as one of us.” He told her,
“Your son has taught us all the true meaning of bravery. Please keep
the spurs as a remembrance of him, and the honor he did us all.” Many
years have come and gone since this Make-A-Wish Tourney, but I still
remember the generosity of the SCA and its ability to touch the
everyday world. (I hope this qualifies for a positive story. It has
certainly touched mylife and inspired me. I hope it does you.)