My Father’s Day on Sunday, June the 21st, 2015, will be remembered as very special for several reasons; one being my participation in the Fundraiser for The Canadian Mental Health Association. I was invited as the piper, to play for a short while for each contingent of a large number of cyclists shortly after they began their tour from Swangard Stadium and through the city of Vancouver. Thousands of cyclists and runners were divided into many categories such as the 60, 20 and 10 km runs.
Their response to my pipe music was quite thrilling as they rode past, giving a thumbs up and waving. One fellow was so entranced by the music of “The Road to the Isles,” that he stopped to perform the Highland Fling. He gave it everything he had and it was wonderful to watch. Then, he continued on his walk.
It was a beautiful day for dancing, cycling, walking and playing the pipes. I played all sorts of music, remembering it by categories, such as 6/8’s, 4/4’s, well-known Scottish selections and hymn songs. I figured that for those who knew those hymns, they would love hearing them, and for those who were not familiar with hymns, they would nevertheless enjoy them; ones like “I Sing the Mighty Power of God,” “Immortal, Invisible,” “To God be the Glory, “and “Take the Name of Jesus With You.”
Our daughter had a Father’s Day Celebration at her house in the afternoon, which included a BBQ luncheon and spontaneous entertainment by one of our grandsons and his soccer buddies. They made the most of a warm, sunny day by wresting on the slippery surface of the trampoline. We were happy to see them conclude their show of strength and agility without accidents. It was very rough!
There was still time in the day to attend a lecture on the Book of Hebrews given by our pastor at our Baptist church, and to have some interesting conversations afterwards with some of our friends who were there. Many wonderful memories will follow this great Father’s Day.
Enjoyed reading about your day! Sounds like it was most enjoyable from start to finish. Loved the story about the runner stopping to do the fling! You certainly added an element of pomp and celebration to the event.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janine, for your comment. Playing for that fellow to do the Highland Fling was a delightful part of piping for The Mental Health bike and walk-a-thon. He was enjoying doing his many various maneuvers so much, that I simply "gave it something extra" so he could go all-out. I'd love to do it again sometime. He came over and shook my hand, and with real gusto. It would be a moment worth remembering in his day too.
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