Today I Still Remember

We will remember them...

It is ANZAC Day and amidst all the nostalgia and remembrance of our loved ones and ancestors who fought and died for the freedom we enjoy today, I seem to keep drifting back to thoughts of Dad. 

He wasn't a veteran but he was my hero.

So much of my knowledge of the wars and what life was like "back home" comes from my own parents.  I think of my Dad now, when still only a teenager, who felled a paddock of scrub country using only axes, with his older brother in 1942. The following year his two older brothers went to the war in the Pacific and Dad was the eldest at home and much depended on to keep the farm going.  He did apply to the army but his colour blindness and the fact that by so late in the war the farms desperately needed fit people to keep them going, kept him home.  I have always been thankful for that.  My dear Dad was a very tender soul who I think would have struggled to recover from such an experience.

I have been enjoying afternoon tea each day with Mum in these past two weeks.  The days of our mourning.  What a wonderful, stoic and resilient woman she is! But the realities of grief have hit her and also the frailty of her own body.  She has been quite miserable and unwell. She is tasting loneliness. Her memory is very poor. Sometimes when I mention something about Dad she can't recall it....and that is hard, painful.

"Today I still remember, just like yesterday,

'Bout a mighty big man with a mighty big heart

And a mighty few words to say."

Here's a link to one of my old poems

Remember

Lest we Forget

Half Mast

In a small country town in Central Queensland, the flag at the War Memorial flew at half mast last weekend. It signalled to the townsfolk that one of their own had passed away.

Last Friday, my much loved father left this world. 

May he rest in peace.

It has been a very tiring and emotional week,yet because Dad was 88 years old and had lived an eventful and productive life, it was a wonderful time of reminiscing and celebrating his life.  The greatest legacy that he and my mum have left is our large family. Seven living children, 21 living grand children and 28 great grand children (so far). These plus spouses and Dad's living siblings filled the front half of the church!

Dad was a quiet, unassuming man but I think he would have been quite chuffed at the hundreds of relatives and friends who turned out to farewell him.

Long time readers here know my great love and admiration for my parents. I can only say that I miss him terribly and it will take some time to adjust to life without him.  He and Mum were married for 62 years.  She is coping well but the reality will set in now that the family have all gone home.

"It's not what you take with you when you leave this world behind,

it's what you leave behind when you go."

♥♥♥

Be merciful, O Lord!

Something to ponder at Challies

Plenty going on here but not the energy or inspiration to write anything.  I do however appreciate some of the good thoughts others are sharing.

How quickly this year is passing.
I am babysitting the twins but I feel a fraud as they fell asleep in the car coming over, an hour ago and have been asleep since!
Time for cuddles and stories later.

Have a great weekend and week!