I've just finished a brilliant week at Colaisde na Gàidhlig, where I received expert instruction in tin whistle, pipe chanter, Gàidhlig song and Gàidhlig language. Sean and Beth very much enjoyed their fiddle classes together as well.
I met many good Gaels this week and came to know a few more a little better. I also had the pleasure of coming to know my niece/foster daughter (in the old definition of Gaelic fosterage) much better, which is priceless to me.
Sean and I have come away from our experience even more committed to Gàidhlig, which needs every one of her champions. We're also excited to be practicing new instruments together, and I am resolved to dedicate more time to Gàidhlig song (quite a bit more, in fact, though I'm not yet certain what shape that learning will take).
I told Sean last night that as I left the college, I thought that I might have been heartbroken to have to leave Cape Breton after such an experience. As it was, we only drove two minutes down the road and were home. I'm so grateful to be able to live in this place and to have the chance to become a fluent Gàidhlig speaker, and I'm also grateful to the Gaels I met this week (from here and from Scotland) who spoke Gàidhlig with me so patiently. I look forward to rewarding their patience with fluency and to becoming a better champion for this language and culture I love so much.
