IN MEMORIAM
And now for the rest of the story….
When I was 10 or 11 my mother suggested taking bagpipe lessons from family friend Kenneth MacLeod. Being 10 or 11 and in Iowa I declined. My mother passed away in 1985 and never got to see or hear me play. My dad enjoyed when I played my pipes. He would gladly fire up the grill or build a fire for Scottish visitors or just let the neighbors know I was coming out to pipe. I lost him in 2010.
In 1989 Sue worked with a wonderful woman named Marjean O'Brien. Who had at one time had owned an Irish Import Shop with her husband Tom. She suggested the Scottish theme for our wedding and for me to get a kilt. She brought catalogues into work and let's just say the rest is history.
Marjean was the 2010 Irish Mother of the Year. I was honoured to 'pipe her in' to the Col Ballroom to begin her 'reign'. Unfortunately Marjean passed away after a brave battle with cancer in October 2010. I don't know if I'd be a piper today if it wasn't for Marjean…
After acquiring Kenneth's bagpipes and he and Margaret's return to Scotland. I was fortunate to be able to visit them several times. We always had a great time sight-seeing and blethering. Kenneth always had an interest in my piping endeavors . In this photo he still had good health but unfortunately we learned of his passing in a 2013 Christmas card. I know he's pleased with the many journeys and occasions his pipes and I have taken lo' these many years.
Most importantly, my mother got her wish and know she smiles down on me from heaven!
LOVE & MISS YOU ALL!
When I was 10 or 11 my mother suggested taking bagpipe lessons from family friend Kenneth MacLeod. Being 10 or 11 and in Iowa I declined. My mother passed away in 1985 and never got to see or hear me play. My dad enjoyed when I played my pipes. He would gladly fire up the grill or build a fire for Scottish visitors or just let the neighbors know I was coming out to pipe. I lost him in 2010.
In 1989 Sue worked with a wonderful woman named Marjean O'Brien. Who had at one time had owned an Irish Import Shop with her husband Tom. She suggested the Scottish theme for our wedding and for me to get a kilt. She brought catalogues into work and let's just say the rest is history.
Marjean was the 2010 Irish Mother of the Year. I was honoured to 'pipe her in' to the Col Ballroom to begin her 'reign'. Unfortunately Marjean passed away after a brave battle with cancer in October 2010. I don't know if I'd be a piper today if it wasn't for Marjean…
After acquiring Kenneth's bagpipes and he and Margaret's return to Scotland. I was fortunate to be able to visit them several times. We always had a great time sight-seeing and blethering. Kenneth always had an interest in my piping endeavors . In this photo he still had good health but unfortunately we learned of his passing in a 2013 Christmas card. I know he's pleased with the many journeys and occasions his pipes and I have taken lo' these many years.
Most importantly, my mother got her wish and know she smiles down on me from heaven!
LOVE & MISS YOU ALL!