November 11th... A Time To Remember
Recently we took some time to visit the Beaches of Normandy (France). Remembrance Day has always held a dear place in our hearts. We, (Kelly and I) went to experience and reflect where many Canadians lost their lives, to experience where ‘it all happened’ – Omaha Beach and Juno beach (the Juno Beach centre and its tours are run year round by Canadian students).
We went to pay our respect trying to comprehend what ‘they’ did for us those many years ago. Hoping we might have had the courage and fortitude to match theirs, had we been there that day. We went to remind ourselves of the gifts society so often takes for granted these days.
The grey day was solemn, sombre, and yet eerily peaceful at the same time – like you would expect it might have been many years ago before war touched it. This ominous experience allowed us to be very introspective and reflect on each of our lives and those who have gone before us. Walking these beaches (Kelly actually walked bare foot in the ocean staring up at the cliffs) it was easy to imagine how enormous a task capturing those shores would have been. Later walking through the thousands of solemn crosses in cemeteries - the cost was obvious, no longer needing to be imagined.
Hours later that day, walking alone along the cliff tops, in between quiet raindrops, silent together in our own thoughts… the sky surprised us, clearing to the most beautiful late afternoon sky. Beauty after the storm……….. our grey day of reflection turning suddenly to breathtaking beauty….. a spectacular double rainbow. It definitely reminded us of the wonder of what we have. How life changes from dark to brilliance in a blink of an eye. Their sacrifice bought our peace. It brought to light how important it is to stop and take time to appreciate what we have.
A lifetime goes so fast……. we hope to remember to take the time to appreciate every moment.
When you see poppies or wear a poppy this Remembrance Day, remember that we have the lives we have today because so many people gave their lives unselfishly for us to experience the freedom we have in 2019.
Kelly & Deb
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P.S. 75 years ago this year the allied forces stormed the Beaches of Normandy…..take time to remember….take time to teach a younger generation to remember.