Greetings, Midrealmers, both new and old!
Recently, the Boke of Faces has been reminding me that about this time four years ago, I was at Gulf Wars. This was when Serena and I were on the Throne, Gulf Wars XXV. You may remember it as “Gulfnado.”
This was a tremendously fun event… until it wasn’t. It was the evening of Midrealm court when the weather turned bad and we all had to deal with the very real possibility that our fun week of medieval reenactment was about to turn into very real tragedy.
But, when I think back to that event, I don’t think of the wind or rain or tornados. Rather, I think back to how when things got bad the people of the SCA got to work.
Without anyone directly telling them to do so, people jumped into action. Moving chairs and setting up tables in the main hall. Bringing in hot food and dry towels. Helping people relocate after their tents had blown down. Aiding the injured and comforting the scared. This event reminded me of something that I think we all know.
The SCA is at its best when things are at their worst.
For all our petty in-fighting and name-calling, when it really matters—when people’s lives or well-being is on the line—the SCA takes care of its own.
As I write this, we’re about three weeks into the COVID-19 isolation. For most, this sequester and social distancing doesn’t have the immediate danger of a tornado, but people are worried and frightened nevertheless. And again, the SCA has jumped into action.
I’ve seen SO MANY people put in the time and effort to reach out to friends, just to make sure they’re all right, post funny pictures or memes to cheer people up, create videos to educate or entertain. I’ve watched demonstrations of throwing pottery and baking bread, live readings of period texts and modern-day picture books, rattan combat drills and even a tiara party!
The response has been fantastic! Countless people have taken this time in isolation to try out new activities and learn new skills. For myself, I tried my hand at baking bread (first attempt was an unmitigated disaster, the second one was decent bordering on good), and I made hippocras, a spiced wine drink I had never had before. It turned out great and packed quite a punch.
Individually, these seem like small things, especially compared to the enormity of the situation in the world. But when you put them all together, the people of the Midrealm have created hours of diversions and entertainment, without a central authority to organize and coordinate all of it.
Because when things get bad, the SCA gets to work.
This time of plague will pass. When it does, and when we again meet in the halls and fields and kitchens of events, I hope we remember this time. Not for the isolation or worry, but rather for how we came together and tried to make and reinforce the connections that are so critical to our Society. May we never again take for granted the feeling of embracing our friends or sharing a story around a campfire. May we forevermore focus on the simple joy of being able to travel to events, laugh with loved ones and take care of our own.
In service,