Ooh, ooh, can I be the crazy Uncle mentioned in the thread above? You know the one. The one that will sit at the Christmas dinner table with all the other Aunts and Uncles and Grandma present that gets all the kids to pull his finger.

This topic, of what we here have built, has come up before. We have asked ourselves if we are a "Clan", a family, a rabble. And you know what? I never get tired of it.

I am so proud of what we have made here. There are other forums, other sites, that have the Kilt in common. Some are based on other ideals, some on location, some on different aspects of this world we call Kilts. But none have seemed, to me, to develop this sense of trust, of honor, that has become the hallmark of X Marks.

It is in part due to the set of ideals, rules if you want, that we all agree to abide by.
It is in part due to the group of people we call "The Mod Squad". Who, with an even, and at times firm, hand they have reminded us to keep true to those ideals.
It is in part due to each and every member who makes the decision to stay here and stay true to those ideals.

No, we are not a Scottish Clan. And I would never attempt to claim we are. Oh yea, we have our own Tartan. We have our own badge and symbol. But those are just ways we have to identify ourselves. They are an excuse to have another Kilt or another Kilt Pin, or another Kilt accessory.
But when I put on my X Marks Tartan Kilt I am part of something. Something I am proud of.
So maybe we are upholding the ideal of "Clan". Maybe we are forging a new concept of "Clan". I don't know. It will be people a lot smarter than me to decide.

All I know is that this is my "Family". The place I come to share, to learn, to give, to be welcomed. Even when I am acting like that crazy Uncle.