Worth Remembering

This morning was filled with the hustle and bustle of layering children with warm clothes and digging out snowsuits and mittens and hats.

We got them all suited up and out the door.

As Matt buckled them in, I scurried around collecting poppies and diapers and a camera.

We drove to a nearby Tim Hortons to purchase coffee and hot chocolate.

While waiting in the drive thru line, we decided one child had likely discarded their mittens in the house before getting in the van since they were no where to be seen.

So after collecting our hot drinks, we turned around and headed back home.

Half way there, the little one waved her rediscovered mittens for all to see.

Grumble, sigh.

Turning again, we headed downtown to meet up with my Dad for the Remembrance Day ceremony.

Everyone toppled out of the van, having arrived at our destination.

Coats were zipped and hats secured.

All the while, little voices begged for the awaiting hot chocolate.

Finally, we were all ready.

We followed the crowds to the cenotaph and found a spot where the kids could see the marching bands and soldiers when they passed by.

Hot chocolate spilled down coats.

Hats were pulled off and then asked to be put back on.

One child tired of standing and laid down on the pavement.

(Only to be told to stand back up. Now.)

Another whined about being in the stroller.

Still another asked to PLEASE be allowed to sit in the stroller.

As siblings do, each took a turn pestering and causing the other to squeal, annoyed and impatient.

When the guns began to fire, there were complaints that it was too loud or too scary.

They talked through the prayers and were silent for the songs.

Noses were wiped with mittened hands.

We shushed and scolded and instructed and explained.

And all the while we were cold.

A bit bored.

A lot impatient.

Remembering is hard.

It's uncomfortable.

And if you're a parent, it's a lot of work.

I was thinking about this after we'd returned home, our bellies full and our bodies warm.

How easy it would have been to stay home and avoid the hassle.

To laze around in our jammies all day and do nothing with our day off.

But I think too of those we are remembering.

The men and women who gave their lives on the battlefield.

Those who returned, forever changed and marked by all they saw and experienced.

Many who still serve our country today, leaving family and loved ones for long periods of time.

The families who wait and pray and do life without that one they love.

For them it was and is hard and uncomfortable and a lot work.

Incomparably so.

As I think about this, our morning doesn't seem so bad.

We're instilling in our kids the reality that sometimes you do things, not because it's fun or easy, but because it is right and good.

I know I'm glad my parents taught me that.

There are things worth doing and people worth remembering and respect worth showing.

We will remember them.

 Last year's Remembrance Day post: Why I Wear A Poppy

Why I Wear A Poppy

Today we remembered our soldiers.

The men and women who died protecting our freedom.

Those who still give of themselves to preserve peace.

For us, this is an annual tradition.

For as long as I can remember, I have taken one day out of the year to specifically remember.

I was raised to believe that this was right and necessary.

To not take for granted the peace and freedom I've been blessed to enjoy my whole life long.

This year was different for me though.

I suppose it basically boils down to my naivete.

Or maybe it was my habit of generally believing the best of people.

Perhaps a bit of both.

Regardless, it took me by surprise and caused me to assess more fully why I wear this bright red flower on my coat each November.

You see, this year, I learned that some people out right refuse to wear a poppy.

To observe a day of remembrance.

To honor those who did and still do sacrifice so much to preserve our freedom.

"Why would we want to wear this reminder of war when we are constantly surrounded by it?"

I had read this last week.

And it had struck me as so very wrong.

We are not surrounded by war.

We have no idea what that is like.

Not even close.

We are not glorifying it by wearing a poppy and taking a day to remember.

We are showing how grateful we are for those who made it possible that we would never have to experience it, live through it, die in it.

Today I watched my children as each 'BOOM!' of the 21 gun salute echoed across our city.

They covered their ears with their hands.

My oldest, extra sensitize to sound, huddled down close to the ground holding her head.

In between the blasts she would ask, "Is it done yet, Mom?! How many more?"

Over and over again.

"It hurts my ears!", she exclaimed in agony.

I knelt down to talk to her.

To calm her fears.

"Honey, it's only a sound. You don't have to be afraid. It will be over very soon."

I held her close as the last few shots came and went.

And I wasn't afraid or scared or even anxious.

I too desire peace.

I too do not love war.

Therefore, I wear a poppy.

I wear a poppy to remember that freedom wasn't free.

I wear a poppy to show my gratefulness for the peace that was provided so that I do not live in fear for my life or my children's.

I wear a poppy because I can tell them that sound is only a noise.

I wear a poppy because I can tell them that they do not need to be afraid.

I wear a poppy because I can be confident in my statement that it will be over soon.

I wear a poppy because the cost was so very high yet men and women stood up and paid that price.

I wear a poppy because my family and I daily enjoy the benefits of that.

I wear a poppy because I refuse to be a thankless generation nor to raise such.

I wear a poppy because we enjoy peace and we are not surrounded by war.

We need to remember that.

 To find the instructions for our Flander's Field craft, go here.

To see my post on Remembrance Day 2011 (and other resources we use during this time of remembering), go here.

Remembrance Day

We took time this past week to learn about Remembrance Day.

It's always difficult to find many resources for young children so I thought I'd share the little bit I've come across!

There are oodles of poppy crafts (which we never got around to doing) but books and such that simply convey why we observe Remembrance Day are scarce!

Thankfully, I came across this printable workbook: "Take Time To Remember".

It contained several activities and a printable of the poem "In Flanders' Fields".

Piper really enjoyed working though it and talking about the different illustrations she was coloring in!

We also read though a book I made several years ago about Remembrance Day.

I was disappointed by the lack of selection of books relating to this day so I put together a children's book using pictures I took of Piper's first Remembrance Day!

I gave it to my Dad as a Christmas gift that year since it was he who instilled in me the importance to take time each year to honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

The girls were especially attentive when they saw that the book contained pictures of people they knew!

One book I am very fond of is "A Poppy Is to Remember".

It is very simple, beautifully illustrated and perfect for younger children!

As we read it, Piper asked questions such as why some of the men didn't return to their families.

When I explained that they had died protecting our country, her eyes watered up as she continued to ask questions.

I was amazed at how much the book affected her this year!



Finally, of course, we attended the ceremony at the Cenotaph.

Both girls were extremely interested in all the things involved.

Again, there were a ton of questions from Piper!

But I love how curious she is about all this and that I have the opportunity to teach her about this important day!

 

Our hearts are filled with thankfulness for those who served and continue to serve our country!

(Do you have any great Remembrance Day resources appropriate for preschoolers? Please share!)