What I Know Wednesday--I WILL REMEMBER

Today is Remembrance Day. I love that it falls in November when we think so much about gratitude. Growing up in the United States, I always knew November 11th as Veteran's Day. Here it is Remembrance Day--the day Canadians pause to remember "those who have served and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace." The schools are closed today but yesterday throughout the Province, assemblies were held. Most everywhere you go during the beginning of November, people wear poppies on their coats.

When Kyle was in elementary school, one year his class had to memorize the poem "In Flanders Fields". It was so great to go to the school and attend the Remembrance Day assembly when his little class recited the poem. Not too far from our house is a little memorial that has the names of the men who lived in our part of the city who have died in the wars that Canada has participated in. After one of the assemblies, Kyle asked if we could get flowers and go and put them on the memorial. We did and every time I pass that little memorial I REMEMBER.

So on this Remembrance Day, I want to post the poem:

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
Scare 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 falling 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

Wal-Mart is airing a really sweet commercial--it has a soldier in the Middle East and all of the sudden it starts snowing and it flashes to his son who is leaving a visit to Santa when his mom asks, "So, what did you ask for?" The little boy says, "Something for Dad." The narrator comes on and says, "TO ALL OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES, THANK YOU. BECAUSE OF YOU, WE ARE ALL LIVING BETTER."

So What Do I Know on this Wednesday--I Know I will always remember those who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy. I'm so grateful for all who keep us safe.