Friday, November 10, 2006

Lest We Forget

This weekend for me will be a somber one...tomorrow as my family stands alongside others and pauses to remember the ultimate sacrifices made so that we can live in a country filled with so many freedoms.

I will remember my great-grandfather who was a soldier to help keep his country free. I am so grateful that even though I never met you, that you came home and told your story to many...that they told me of who you were and that I can now instill this into my kids' memories as well.

I will remember my great-uncle who was a soldier who believed in fighting for freedom...who lost his leg in war and died when I was 3 years old as a result of complications from that injury. I might not have known you long, but you and those around me, made sure I knew your story and your love. I will always remember through pictures and tape how you would place me on your knee, let me strum on your guitar and together we would sing.

I will remember my great-aunt who came over to Canada as a war-bride. I will remember your shining face as you told stories of your husband and his father to me as a child. You might not be here to tell those stories, but I am so thankful that you told them and the only way I knew to give lasting thanks to you was to give our daughter your name for her middle name. We sat together yesterday as a family and told her about her special namesake and we will continue to tell our kids of the stories...we will teach them to remember and not forget.

I will remember the people placed in my life who have served or still serve and are here in the flesh...my father-in-law, my uncle (friend and special namesake) and my cousin-in-law.

I read a humbling Remembrance Day tribute this morning and I pray you'll read it too...http://northvus.blogspot.com/2006/11/road-to-remembrance.html.

Blessings to you all as we enter this weekend of remembrance...blessings, love and prayers to the families who will remember loved ones who were lost and to those, and their families back home, who are still bravely fighting for freedom as we pause to remember and say thanks!




In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae (1872-1918)

3 comments:

M. C. Pearson said...

Lovely tribute...and thank you. It means a lot since both my husband and I are veterans.

Love your template...I use the same one for my FIRST (Fiction in Rather Short Takes) Blog Alliance!

audrey` said...

Hi Cinder

How are you?
Take care =)

Cinder said...

M.C. ~ Thanks so much for dropping by...you are so welcome for the tribute. I pray all is well with you and yours and that you are settling in.

This template just seemed to scream me, with bookmarks, etc. and I found it easier on the eyes than the last one!

Blessings to you ;D!

Audrey ~ Hi there...I'm doing okay...it's been a very busy and up in the air fall, but things are beginning to settle a little bit and will continue to I'm sure.

You take care as well...blessings, love, prayers and ((HUGS)) to you ;D !