Hello Everyone!
The Magic Scarf was sent to me in mid-December, 2008. Discussion on who would get the scarf next began some time before my scheduled surgery. I was lucky enough to have my date with the doctor postponed from November to December, two days prior to another person on the ANA calendar. That was my ticket to my 15 seconds of ANA fame.
I was going to be the first male recipient of the decidedly feminine leopard print scarf. Needless to say there were some witty comments from fellow ANA members. The scarf was to be passed on to me by the prior recipient, AMD. Unfortunately, AMD was experiencing a number of issues post op, and had to rely on her husband, Chris, to get the scarf to me. I was really looking forward to receiving it.
My surgery date came and went, as did my weeklong hospital stay. Each day I’d ask my wife or daughter if the package arrived yet and each day the answer was “no.†I was thinking it was hung up crossing the border, as I was also the first Canadian to proudly wear the Magic Scarf.
Shortly after arriving home from the hospital, I couldn't wait so I created a virtual scarf and posted that picture on the ANA forum on the 16th, and used it for my profile pic for a while. Here is that picture:
(http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp263/kccollett/PurrfectLeopardScarf-1.jpg)
The following day (which was 9 days post op) the Magic Scarf arrived. I was so excited to receive it I immediately started setting up a photo shoot. Taking it easy be darned. With the help of my wife, Michelle, I draped a sheet for the background, set up a white photo umbrella to soften the flash effect a bit. Michelle shot the following pictures with my Canon digital Elph camera (using an umbrella with such a tiny camera was a bit of a challenge). I then went to work making a bit of a montage with some captions using Paintbrush & MS Word, and posted it to the forum.
(http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp263/kccollett/MagicScarf1.jpg)
Just doing this little project was great therapy for me, so the scarf was indeed creating some magic. The scarf was accompanied by a little blue diary with pictures and some stories from previous recipients. I added my own notes & pics, and then passed the scarf and journal on to Kathy M.
Overall, the effect of the Magic Scarf was very positive, and I was very glad to have been a recipient of its effects and the fun it produced, made evident from this comment from ANA member Captain Deb: “As you would probably guess, I am partial to the pirate look meself and am ready to leave Dr Love for you!!!!! OOOOWWWWWEEEEEE!!!!!!!! Ain't nuthin like a scallywag in a jaunty headscarf ter steal a wenches heart!â€
It would be great if the tradition went on for years to come. Thank you to Debbie (and her friend who first cheered her up with the gift of the scarf) who’s caring nature prompted her to pass her gift on to others.
I wish the best to all future recipients, and to all ANA discussion forum members who so routinely spend so much of their personal time providing such positive and informative support to all the newbies, such as me, when they first join up.
Cheers!
Ken