[MR] Master Aldwin

[Jerry Wellner]

Jared and I didn't know Aldwin as well as many of you. His protege, Derdriu, 
is our SCA daughter but we were not afforded time by various mundane 
constraints to spend time with him often. Consequently, we know much more 
/of/ him more than we know him. But if a man can truly be judged by the 
company he keeps then one only has to know those whom Aldwin called friends 
to know him.

Derdriu, Gaston and Allison, Nikulai, Alaric, Valdemar and Ursula, Xavier, 
Rohan, Efenwealt and Aenor ... so many here close by and others throughout 
the Known World ... those with honors and awards for their service and 
chivalry as well as those who serve selflessly with no recognition and no 
wavering of their desire to help. We all know someone who was touched by 
Aldwin, the well-travelled. If we didn't hear that laugh and see that 
crinkled impish expression of mischievious humor we've heard the tales that 
brought that laugh repeated by lesser tellers. If we didn't hear his bold 
and inspiring Vivats! or his dramatic heralding, we've heard other heralds 
compared to him in a paler light. If we didn't hear his famous stories we 
know those names he dropped and number them among our friends.

Aldwin did not enter a life without adding to its measure. And he will not 
leave our lives without taking something with him.

You loved life, Aldwin, and lived every moment to the fullest, an example to 
the rest of us. You showed us how to laugh in moments of trying or pain, how 
to overcome the self-inflicted intimidation of those we consider our 
"betters", and how to just know when it's time to say "To hell with it, do 
it you way and be happy." Thank you for being who you are, for never fearing 
yourself, and never being selish in sharing the wonderful man you are with 
all of us.

Saaida Sajah bint-Habushun ibn-Ishandiyar al-Hajjaji
House Open Hearth



_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp