My interest in knighthood and chivalry gets deeper with each passing year, especially now that I am a member of an existing order plus the fact that I have a re-enacting persona that is a Knight of the Garter. Don't get me wrong: I realize that the real knights of Europe were not much like the ideal we have come to see in legend. It is those legendary knights, however, that we should be looking towards as our world gets less and less cordial.
I have become involved with a program called Chivalry for Children, a free class for kids that teach seven paramount virtues of knighthood: loyalty, charity, humility, perserverance, honesty, courage and courtesy. We tell stories, get the kids involved, show off knightly symbols and swords, then knight anyone (kid or adult) who wishes it. The whole thing is amazing: I have been involved for over a year now and I am always impressed with how the kids sit enthralled for an entire 45-minute presentation, then with their seriousness as they take their knightly vows.
This program is one of many things that has happened in my life recently that is helping me make peace with myself and my past. Striving to be a better person can be a struggle, but I can give this advice: share what you love with others. They may just love it, too.
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