[MR] RE: [IR] Stardust

[Elizabeth Schechter]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece!

Lord Lyon Filshenri wrote:

> Forwarded from the Iron Rose list.
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Heidi Murphy [mailto:brightwings1 at juno.com] 
>Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 12:53 PM
>To: HouseIronrose at yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [IR] Stardust
>
>
>Someone recently was talking about being burnt out and disenchanted with
>things the way they are. I wrote this last year (I think) and thought it
>might be appropriate...:o)
>
>********************************************
>On this the anniversary of the demise of my SCA Grandsire (or thereabouts) I
>have been pondering the meaning and distribution of Stardust. Those of us
>who knew Count Sir Theo agree that he had a prodigious talent for scattering
>copious amounts of stardust. By this I mean that he had that quality of
>being able to so live and act and speak such that life for all those around
>him took on a magical quality.
>Many call it the 'Dream'.
>So what constitutes stardust? To me it lies cached in heroic deeds of honor
>and kindness and beauty and the ability to pass it from one person to
>another through song and story.
>It is unstintingly living a life of surpassing excellence. It is being your
>persona without thought for embarrassment or selfishness. You know you have
>been bathed in stardust when you feel that you are THERE, living the life we
>dream of.
>There are some acts so burnished with stardust that they are caught forever
>in my mind.
>
>Recall the event of war when Her Majesty Varia rose from her throne and
>rendered the new song, "Atenveldtus Gloria"
>with such stirring fervor that tears coursed down the faces of Royalty and
>commoners alike.
>
>Or the Crown tourney in which Duke Sir Matthias begged that should any find
>offence with any act of his during said battle they should make it known.
>
>Or marching to battle to the airs of wailing pipes and seeing the rest of
>Atenveldt's might marching as one, their voices raised in song.
>
>The wee hours of a candle-lit Vigil, friends and councilors waiting sleepily
>to impart wisdom and succor to a new and still-bedazzled Peer.
>
>Seeing a newly made Baron carried off the field on his shield, his weeping
>women following.
>
>Or a glittering feast Sir Gareth of Bloodwine Gorge laid which was so
>faultless and magical that Knights and squires who were lucky enough to
>attend it still speak of it with awe.
>
>The selfless example of our King going to the opposite side of a battle to
>make sure that numbers evened out and the devotion of those who went with
>him to battle their own for love of their King.
>
>Picture a court in which all are gathered. The herald steps to the fore and
>announces with a catch in his throat that a Knight has passed away. A squire
>strides to the Royal Presence and with tears streaming down his face returns
>his belt to a weeping widow and promises to care for her in the absence of
>his Sire. Stardust.
>
>Or the selfless caring of a young Duchess for a new, star-struck lass.
>
>Or the glow in the eyes of a newly made squire fingering a new red belt as
>they struggle with the Knight's Knot and then gaze across the night fire
>into the merry eyes of their new squire-brothers.
>
>Or even the simple picture of a fighter striding up a leaf- strewn road
>among the pines, his armour glinting in the sunlight. Stardust!
>
>Stardust is what you make it. It is a precious quality for which many joined
>this 'Dream'. Remember this when next you feel embarrassed by some act which
>would add to the magic. Raise your head and live the life.
>When you step into garb, become the person. And remember that deeds untold
>remain only in the heads and minds of a few. Share your stories. Be vigilant
>for this quality and spread it liberally for the benefit of all.
>Don't let it die away into pettiness and mundanity.
>Be excellent! Scatter Stardust!
>
>****************************************
>I know many of you have other examples
>of Stardust. These things inspire us and make us reach up. I just wanted to
>add a spark and see what explodes...:o)
>
>Lady Ilsa von Sonnenburg, esq., AoA, FdS, LoTY, OBA, OBO, OBV
>
> 
>  
>