Remembering

Today is Remembrance Day.  Last week at my work we had our annual Remembrance Day ceremony. Every year this ceremony never fails to bring me to tears. Now being a mom, this year was absolutely no exception. By the end, after the speakers, slideshows, and trumpets, the two minutes of silence is not nearly enough to feel through the overwhelming gratitude that is spilling out of me towards the men and women who serve or have served in our armed forces and protect so many lives. The sheer amount of time they spend away from their families is extraordinary. Maybe I should relax a little when Rob is late for dinner.

I can't get the images out of my head of a dad in the army coming home from deployment and holding his newborn baby for the first time in an airport. Or a mom in the navy who away on a sail and missing Halloween with her daughter. Or the son and his mother being driven along the Highway of Heroes following the hearse of a brave brave man who won't be coming home with them.

This year our ceremony had a focus not only on remembrance, but also on compassion. We were challenged to ask ourselves, "What would soldiers fighting abroad wish for us to take away from this ceremony?" It's likely what they want for us is to show just a little more compassion, a little more kindness to others that we meet.

If you aren't able to make it to a Remembrance Day ceremony today, or even if you are, I recommend taking a few minutes to watch this video.

Our lives get busy. And it can be easy to wish for world peace and forget the real sacrifice made by so many, but today, I'm remembering.

I had difficulty picking an appropriate photo for this post.  Maybe it is this one of poppies peacefully blowing in the wind....

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Maybe it is this one that so clearly says the message we are remembering.....

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But really, maybe it's this one. My sister. One of many men and women who possess the incredible amount of strength, courage, and determination to do what is right and necessary when it counts. That path is not for all of us, but I am so grateful that it is the path for some. Thank you sis.

xo
Jenn