[MR] FW: suprise elevations

[Mel]

His Majesty is right.  It is most certainly, at least in all cases I  
have been aware of, a matter of when not if a person will be  
elevated.  When Baronne Alianor, OL was elevated, which is the  
experience I draw most from, few people close to her were advised by  
the crown and from there is was their responsibility to ensure that  
Alianor's dream of what that day was to be like came to fruition.  I  
think there comes a point in everyone's path when they start  
envisioning what they want.  Usually it is a peer that they discuss  
it with, if not theirs then one close to them.  Or perhaps it's a  
close friend or significant other.  In any event these people can and  
should work together to build the day the candidate has dreamt of.

I have spoken with some people who do not want to be surprised,  
others that would have it no other way.  Personal experience (not  
elevation but being called into court) has shown me that it is the  
surprise itself that builds your memory of how that day happened.   
When I got my AoA a well meaning friend let the deed slip before  
court and it honestly wrecked it for me, now when I got me  
Opal...THAT was a shock...I was doing what I do, and BAM Their  
Majesties called me into court. What a wonderful moment, and one that  
I will cherish.

Bottom line is, Surprise or not is up to the Crown.  Atlantian  
tradition is that the candidate is surprised, some Crowns have stuck  
to that like glue others have dealt with each elevation in a separate  
light.  If someone for some reason truly wishes to go against  
tradition and proceed to Elevation another way for one reason or  
another they need to let their wishes be known.  Thats not to say  
that the Crown could still not decide to surprise them but if they  
KNOW their is a valid reason that an individual needs to know in  
advance then at least everyone is on the same page.

Just my opinion but if we all actually talked to each other more and  
did less behind the scenes griping and gossiping perhaps more dreams  
could be lived and less bitter arguments would occur.   I was  
actually very pleased to see this posted in an open forum.  My  
personal thanks to Minowara Kiritsubo no Ason, OL, OP for bringing a  
serious discussion to the table.

Just my two cents

In Service
Lady Caterine St. Loe