We stand under a beautiful cloud dappled sky, watching as the poppy wreaths are laid at the foot of the village memorial. In the silence, we remember those taken by war and conflict. Our thoughts this year are so close to home. We give thanks for loved ones who returned, and pray for their recovery. We wait, alongside these now familiar faces, each with their own reflections, until the silence is broken by the Precentor's voice, and we raise our voices with him as we sing Psalm 46.
God is our refuge and our strength,
in straits a present aid;
therefore although the Earth remove,
we will not be afraid:
The bottom picture is of my nephew, Scott, at his medal ceremony a few weeks ago. He is slowly improving from his injuries, but still has a way to go. We are proud of him, and are so thankful he is with us. The poignancy of remembrance is now absolutely real for us - and for many other families. We will always remember....
Very touching-thank you for sharing. Prayers for Scott's continued healing.
ReplyDeleteA beautifully written post - thank you.
ReplyDeleteRemembrance is something that we humans benefit from.
ReplyDeleteI send best wishes to your Scott for his healing and thanks for his contributions. Today I attended NYC's Veteran's Day parade on Fifth Avenue. Many thank you messages were conveyed to all the armed forces representatives there. There were so many generations represented.
How I wish that we on earth will eventually be at peace.
xo
France's - thank you. I really appreciate your thoughtful comments xxx
DeleteOver here we remember and honour on the fourth of May, then next day we celebrate our liberation. We always watch TV in the evening, the laying of the wreaths, the sole bell on the Waalsdorper vlakte,a field in The Hague, and in the morning we honour 5 members of a Lancaster crew that came down, luck would have it two members escaped, though burned and wounded and two Canadian soldiers who died liberating the town of Groningen and had stayed the night before with a farmer in our village, they are all buried here. Then, when I see the poppies appearing on British TV channels, I make sure not to miss Remembrance Day either. I guess, while the queen was wearing more then one poppy, a little nunch, she lost more then two familymembers in one of the many wars. I know the brother of her mother in WWI and the brother of her father in WWII. I think in my country most people will not take leave of remembrance day and only celebrate liberation, lest we remember is such a strong feeling. And yes, I watched this year too, seeing both Duchesses on the balcony in the background. At the Opening of the parliament day we are used to seeing members of our Royal familly 's wider circle watching from behind the windows too.
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