11.11

solemn days of remembrance

each year in elementary school, with pride and determination, i would submit either a piece of writing or artwork for the remembrance day competition at our local legion

one year in particular – grade five i believe, i drew a dove sitting on a peace sign with an olive branch in his mouth

hours of thought went into how i was going to portray peace on that blank piece of paper and late nights of erasing and starting over – everything had to be just… so.

“honourable mention” the ribbon read if i remember correctly

although I was proud of the honourable mention the only “mention” that truly mattered to me was his

the frame he put it in

the pride on his face

he never really liked to talk about it. WAR. ‘twas nothing more to say really.

but although he didn’t like to speak of the memories, i knew it was still important to him for us to know

i knew in the way he held my hand while we walked from the parking lot to the starting mark for the parade. i knew in the way he stood at attention as the last post played. i knew in the way he held his chest out – poppy prominently on display and medals gleaming.

those same medals that have been passed down to me and that i cherish today.

you and i wear a poppy in remembrance.

we wear it in remembrance of fallen soldiers and for all soldiers who put themselves in harms way for our country and ourselves.

i wear it for these reasons and so many more. i wear it to remember those walks, those hands held, those moments of pride and remembrance i could see in his eyes.

i wear it to honour him.

i wear it to remember…

him