I remember you.
I will go on remembering you. I wear my poppy with pride and think of you and every one of your fellow soldiers every time I adjust it.
I think you of you every time I see the cold stone of the war memorials, whether they are laden with flags and flowers as they are now or when they are bare but standing tall watching over us all.
I think of my great Grandfather, who I never knew. He was lucky enough to come back, but permanently scared, unable to breathe properly for the rest of his days but no doubt grateful for every half a breath.
I think of both my Grandfathers, Uncles and cousins who fought in the next war- the one after the war that was supposed to end all wars- and would never speak of what they saw. I think of my Grandmothers too, bombed out, bravely waiting, hoping and fighting in their own way. I think of the time they missed with each other and the consequences. I think of my friends who are fighting now, for a war they probably don’t believe in but who would never say so.
I remember you all.
8 comments:
What a beautiful post with such lovely sentiments
This is a lovely tribute to all the people who have suffered in war, and to all the different ways of suffering.
Your blog is wonderful thank you!
Thank you for expressing how I feel, too.
The other day, I saw an old man salute a young soldier as he walked by. It's one of the most moving things I have ever seen.
This is lovely, Rose. I feel so sad, so moved, so lucky to be here now and able to look back, as opposed to all those countless people that due to war cannot. I think one of the best, almost accidental tributes to World War One was the series Blackadder goes Forth, especially the ending. It always has the power to move me to tears.
Thank you so much, Rose.
I bought my poppy last week from a lovely elderly gentleman who was wearing his meadals with pride, and thought: "Without you, we wouldn't have this free country of ours today, while many peoples of this world are still struggling". We can never repay the debt we owe - all we can do is remember.
Have you seen the film and heard Radiohead's Tribute to Harry Patch? It is so moving.
Bless you,
Linda
Lovely and thoughtful post...we just don't commemorate enough these days and you are so right to remind us of our history and how much our grandparents and great grandparents suffered from the war. Thanks! xxx LZ
Muddling along Mummy- thank you, that's extremely kind, it's easier to write when you feel so strongly about something.
Marion- you're very kind. Thank- you very much
Beyond the pale- that does sound incredibly moving I agree
Jayne- I agree, I remember we used to be able to watch the final episode every year at school around this time. We all laughed and then at the end. Well it was one of the few things that kept the whole class quiet all year. No one really knew what to do or say and you could tell everyone was surpressing tears. It's astonishingly well done- it just absolutely grabs you by the gut when the go over the top. I think the effect is possibly helped by there not having been another proper series since (I know there have been specials etc but they aren't the same!)- as if that was really the end of something for us all.
Linda- Yes the older gentleman who sell the poppies have me welling up- I'm really not terribly emotional normally. I bought one from a young boy this year too, very polite and well behaved- that was quite moving too- that he wanted to spend his free time doing that at such a young age- he was selling lots too!
Emily- No on mass I don't think we remember enough actually. Of course people are free to wear a poppy or not and that is part of what the soldiers were fighting for- but I was still a bit shocked that I saw so few poppies on Saturday as I walked around London. It was more older people who were wearing them- it's one of the reasons I wanted to post because I am young but feel strongly about it.
and Linda I am ashamed to say I haven't seen their tribute but I only hear good things. I suspect I will get upset! I will look it up this weekend.
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