Monday, May 16, 2011

My Scottish Nephew



This kid? He's an original. Recently, when my nephew Caden and his fourth grade classmates were invited to dress up in clothing in accordance with their heritages, Caden knew exactly what he wanted--He was gonna wear a kilt, come hell or high water! His mom (Michelle), being her wonderful mom-self, set out to make Caden's dream come true, and she didn't quit. "Anyone know where I can get a kilt for a young Scotsman?" she asked on Facebook. Not surprisingly, she came up empty, but a little thing like a kilt is not going to  make Michelle quit; she persevered.

My mom happened to have just the right fabric (all packrats do, you know!), and a friend of hers sewed the kilt (under which he wore shorts, in case you're curious.) Mom also crocheted the hat. When his ensemble was ready, the kid was positively giddy with excitement, begging his mom to let him wear it to school days early.  The answer (about 42 times) was, "No."

Of course, Michelle supports her boy fully, but she's no dummy; she knew other kids might tease Caden, and she gently warned him about this, but he wouldn't have it; he just doesn't care what other people think of him. (What self-respecting Scotsman does, anyway?!)

Next year, this free-spirited kid will be off to intermediate school (5th and 6th grade are in their own building), and sooner or later, some punk is going to try to bully Caden into thinking something's wrong with him, but you know what? I don't think it's going to work. Because this kid? He already knows who he is, and he knows he is one cool cat.

(But just to be on the safe side, Michelle will probably hide the kilt, come September.)

13 comments:

  1. My husband wishes he had a kilt!

    He wanted to wear a kilt for our wedding. He had told me his family was Scottish. We were at our first big family dinner with his family, where they outed him and said that they were Welsh. I squashed his little kilt dreams right there.

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  2. It sounds like his confidence would get him past any ribbing he might take at school.

    I have a friend who is a member of an Irish club. He wears an outfit similar to this one, complete with a kilt, as he plays the bagpipes at various functions.

    Interestingly, my Google analytics show that my blog is very popular in Ireland. I have no idea why, since no one I know comments here. Perhaps they know of my Irish heritage.

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  3. I think men in kilts look ridiculous! There was actually a group walking around downtown Cleveland with instruments last summer but I didn't have my camera with me at the time. I think this kid's mom used good sense not letting him wear that outfit to school earlier. Hope she can find a good hiding place for it. It just shouts, "Pick on me!"

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  4. He looks so awesome and that smile! I think his confidence will take him far and if not he looks like he can run fast and that might help too!

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  5. I LOVE to see a kid with enough confidence to brave peer pressure! Go Caden!

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  6. I hope his classmates support him and don't try to make him as narrow minded as most kids that age are.

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  7. That is awesome! I absolutely love it. Can I get him to hang out with Mister Man? Somehow, I have a feeling they'd get along GREAT!

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  8. Well..isn't he just the epitome of adorable and awesome! How proud his momma must be of his self-esteem!

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  9. Thanks, Sister for the great post! I'm enjoying the comments, too. Yes, I am very proud of Caden's self esteem. All 4th graders were dressed up so they were generally supportive. Caden got the anticipated "its a skirt" comments but he didnt care one bit! His teacher even emailed me to tell me how much his kilt rocked! He loves being unique and he was beaming ear to ear for hours before and after this photo. Thanks to seamstresses Grandma and her friend Kathy!!

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  10. I should add that the kids at school were SO supportive that Caden wanted to wear it to school again AFTER the Immigration Day! ; )

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  11. When he gets a little older he should watch Mel Gibson's movie about the Scottish warriors but I can't remember the name of it.
    He's looking good in that kilt.
    Oh if you want I have a kilt joke but it doesn't go too well with a nice lad like this. I recall writing it in some comments once but unless you did a kilt post before it was probably another blog.

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  12. Fantastic, and I love the last part about September! Way to go Caden. :)

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  13. "You can tell your king that William Wallace will not be ruled, nor will any Scot!"

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