Move over Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John. I have been knighted . . . at last!
It happened last Tuesday at the staff meeting of the H.E. Butt Foundation, the parent organization of Laity Lodge. There, the accounting department of the Foundation presented me with the prestigious Sword Award. No, it had nothing to do with how quickly I could look up Bible verses. Rather, the Sword Award is given to “an employee or group of employees who show chivalry in saving money, boosting income, or in financial recordkeeping.”
How in Heaven’s name did I get that award? Here’s what was said in my knighting ceremony:

The Chivalrous Sir Doctor Mark D. Roberts was knighted the Sword Award winner at the February monthly staff meeting for the consistent, complete, timely, and detailed documentation of all credit card charges each month.  Sir Roberts was thanked for his chivalrous dedication to the great art of expense tracking and for the hope that he will inspire the squires that surround him.

So, there you have it. Feel free to refer to me now as Sir Mark, if you wish. No need to be as formal as Sir Roberts. I offer humble thanks to the accounting department of the H.E. Butt Foundation, the famed “A-Team,” for bestowing this great honor upon me.
In the photo below, I admire the Sword Award, now hanging from the door into my office. Sadly, I’ll have to surrender the sword next month.