Unfortunately, this week my Godfather passed away and my mother and I drove down to CT for the wake and funeral. My Godparents and mother were friends since High School and still have many of their old classmates as friends who would be there. When we were making plans for the trip I told my mother that I intended to where my tank in the Kelly tartan in honor of Charlie's pride in his Irish Heritage and membership in Irish Societies in CT. She was a little taken back as she's still not used to me wearing kilts when I want to.

We went to the wake on Wednesday and I had on a suit with pants for the drive down. When we got to the funeral home the first 3 people we met all asked if I was wearing my kilt to the funeral the next day. I assured them I would be and they all thought it was great and that Charlie would have loved it.

Thursday I got dressed for the funeral in my tank, cream hose, matching flashes, Celtic belt, Celtic leather sporran, blue sport coat (still need to find a tailor to cut it down to a kilt jacket) and a nice tie with Celtic Knots on it. Everyone who said anything to me just loved it. The whole family all told me that Charlie would be proud and very happy that I would wear that for the day. Some people approached me to tell me that I looked good and were glad to see the kilt. I wouldn't expect any critisism from family and friends at a funeral but it was nice that so many people took a moment to say the nice things they did.

The only slightly annoying part of the day was that there were supposed to be a couple of pipers outside the church but there was some confusion and they didn't show up. After that I heard lots of comments that I needed to learn to pipe since I already have the outfit for it. I have no musical talent and if I ever took piping lessons my wife would move out on me.

All in all the kilt was well accepted and people showed a lot of respect for me and interest in the kilts. As with most funerals for a man in his 70's the crowd was older but they were also the most pleased.

For some of the newbies around - if you are confident in the way you wear your kilt, never be afraid to wear it for special occasions with friends and family.