The Stay at Home Mother

Today is Remembrance Day. A day to remember the men and women who have given their lives to fight for the freedoms we are so blessed to have today in Canada. And we need to also take time to today to think about the ones who are out there right now on the front lines for our Country.

I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to be constantly on guard - that at any moment, you will come face to face with someone who wants to kill you. The idea of gunfire each day echoing in your ears and bombs going off all around you - and being able to get past the fear and be strong...

Both my grandfathers fought in WWII. My one grandfather (Poppa) was struck from behind while he was watching over some prisoners. He survived though, but his back was never the same again. My Poppa had some amazing stories to tell about what he saw during his time in the war.

He had to leave his pregnant wife at the time when he was called to duty. When he returned, he had a son who was already three. My uncle had no idea that this man who suddenly appeared in the house was his father. He kept asking my grandmother who this "strange man" was.

My grandmother not only had her husband go off to war, but four of her brothers....the youngest never returned. He was on the front lines - and only eighteen when he lost his life. A lake was named after my grandmother's family - for having four sons fight in the war.

They sacrificed so much for our country - and so did the families of these war heroes.

So at 11:00 take a moment of pause and give thanks for all they have done and continue to do for our country. Wear your Poppy proud today!

In Flanders field the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce 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 failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.