D Day and the 80th commemoration is upon us. Speaking to a chap who was not born until the late 1950's yesterday, was interesting. He felt the 'fuss' being made was really a bit 'over the top' after all these years.
I could not agree less. Remembering those young men in the prime of their lives and the sacrifices they made in the wiping out of Fascism in Europe at the time should not be forgotten just because it is 'a long time ago'. I believe over 2000 a day were killed in the first fortnight - many before they even got their feet wet - being shot at by snipers and the German guns as the jumped down from the landing craft into a jolly cold and rough sea, many drowning. Those who reached the shore after pushing their way through their dying and dead comrades experiencing things most if not all of them who survived the war never forgot even if they rarely spoke of it.
I intend to watch the first ceremony in half an hour on TV but first I just wanted to say this:
We owe it to ourselves and each other to search out the good, the beauty there is in the world - the good people there are everywhere. Not everything is bad even though the News bulletins do tend to dwell on that side of things. So here are one or two things in today's Times which cheered me up no end.
Remember those two tunaway horses spooked by a noise on a building site as the Household Cavalry rode past? Do you recall the pictures on TV and in the papers of the black and the grey horses, covered in blood, galloping wildly through London streets, riderless, bumping into vehicles, thoroughly scared? Well, they are almost better and ready to return to work. In today's Times there is a photograph of the two of them hob-nobbing over the fence in adjoining buttercup-strewn fields, noses touching, communicating as horses do, saying who know what (unless one is a horse). What pleasure I got from looking at them this morning - not in their usual environment but 'on recuperative 'holiday'- the shot gladdens and uplifts the heart.
And want a laugh - or at least a smile (especially if one has been a parent of a young boy)? In the US a Congresman is denouncing Donald Trump's conviction. Goodness knows why but he has taken his seven year old son with him and there are three photographs. In the first his son, Guy, who is sitting behind him, is leaning into the picture and smiling at the camera (aw - lovely little red-haired boy proud to be in a photograph with Dad) but by the time the other two photographs are taken boredom with the proceedings is setting in. (with a vengeance). In one his head is lolling to the right and his little pink tongue is poking out. By the time the last photograph is taken boredom has really taken over. He is sitting upright but his shoulders have flopped, his eyes have taken on a vacant look and his tongue is poking out and touching his left cheek. Talk about a picture being worth a thousand words.
Life is so full of posturing politicians, we read what is written, we never know the whole truth - only what is fed to us. Sometimes it is good - after admiring those wonderful old men - and women - now all in the nineties and some over a hundred, who tearfully (me included here) listened about, in some cases talked of ,their fallen comrades who they all said deserved the medals far more than they did, voices choked with tears sometimes, many with loving family members there for support, sometimes its good to find something to smile about, to get a good feeling about.
Heaven knows almost every page in the newspapers at the moment is doom and gloom, wars, election promises we all know will be broken, crooks, staabbings. Follow my example, search for something/s to make you smile, to give you a good feeling. You know it makes sense.
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34 comments:
I agree 100%! Look for the good. It might sometimes be hard (given the world today) but it is so worth the effort. There is good in the world. Many politicians are playing to their base and often spewing nonsense. The red-haired boy tells it all. Honoring all those that gave their lives defending the country are to be praised and cherished.
I really needed this today. Thank you Pat. - Jackie
It is good to always find happiness each day. Today Sue in Suffolk and I met for morning coffee and a chat. No talk of politics or gloom.
As a U.S. citizen, I am ashamed that we could allow a common criminal to become president, AGAIN. I am ashamed of my fellow men and women who can't seem to see how sick and malevolent this man is. I will gladly do my civic duty by voting. May the force be with our sick and wounded country.
Younger people still need to know the sacrifices that were made on behalf of future generations. My father, 26 and newly married, joined up in 1939 and served to the end, in Burma, so late returning home. Every time I see newsreels of those young men putting their lives on the line I expect to see his face. There are very few of them left, but they should never be forgotten.
A thoughtful and uplifting post. Thank you, Pat. Xx
When you hear of the great loss of life in the two world wars, we should be eternally grateful for the sacrifice made. Marking the days is not too difficult. I loved those two horses gently nuzzling each other over the fence, it was a great scare for them.
Couldn't agree more Weaver, thank you ! The same attitude goes about the vote sometimes I fear : many people feel it's just "not worth it" nowadays, but here in France it's only 80 years ago that women got the right to vote... So yes, it's worth it, despite the state of politics...
I hope you feel well these days and enjoy life.
Maguy
So true about everything you said.
I look up the Good News Network online everyday usually before checking the news. There are always several "feel good" short articles. We all need a smile a day.....maybe more.
That young chap should look at all the wars...about half a dozen...going on now and be thankful he lives where he does and for that which was done in the past.
Pirate's uncle died age 19 in the first world war (he lied about his age) and his eldest brother in the second..almost at the end... His mother died of a broken heart...and his father was never the same.
Good to hear about the horses, thankyou for sharing that.
Despite everything there is so much good going on in the world, but the few are spoiling it for the rest of us in so many ways.
Yes, it does make sense. Like you, I am irritated by the news, a stupid row about the statistics behind tax cut calculations that ignores the essential and more fundamental issues, so finding beauty and humour in the world is essential. It keeps me going.
Thanks for great attitude...I agree completely. The youngster was also featured on our TV news and was asked later (after all the hoopla about his making faces) did he know what his father was saying? The kid said "I have to be honest, I have no idea what it was."
As ever, you are the voice of reason, good sense, and wise advice. Pat.
We should ever be mindful of those on whose shoulders we stand and live our lives well, choosing beauty in nature and kindness and courtesy to all we meet.
Ta, Pat!
Hugs!
You are exactly right, Pat. "Look for the helpers", Mr. Rogers used to say. There are many good, honest, kind people in this world. Thanks for your positive post! xxoo
Totally agree that the positive tap should be turned on. The media dwells too much on the negative.
Look for the helpers has always been my mantra too.
Gz's Pirate's family experience was very sad.
A good post Pat. Thankyou. Pam.
I read your post this morning. And then I had a walk down an met up with an old friend. What a beautiful conversation we had! I walked away thinking of him, and your blog post and the world DID seem a bit brighter. Thanks Pat.
It is not always up to us, but whenever we can, it is good that we do our part in making the world a little better instead of worse. You are doing that with your blog, Pat, and of course in your "offline" life by being a great friend to your friends, and so on.
Yesterday morning, my downstairs neighbour started a nasty argument with me, totally out of the blue, shouting at me in the stairwell. On my way to work and for much of the day, I thought about the situation, and was determined to solve it as soon as I got home. The world is full of war, terror and aggression as it is - no need for my neighbour to add to it.
Once I was home, I asked him and his wife to come upstairs and sit down for a proper conversation. It worked a treat. He apologised profusely, his wife was close to tears with relief (she'd come after him in the morning, trying to pull him back into their flat and stop him shouting at me), and we're all... well, not exactly friends again, but on good terms.
Having experienced the deep sadness that watching this week's events to do with the 80 years since D-Day, we should all be able to find happiness that such carnage will not occur again, but unfortunately Russia has chosen to remind us that it can and indeed, still is. It is difficult to feel happy today.
I am just going to watch the Normandy commemoration Derek. Agree with you on this. I watched yesterday. You could see the sadness un the eyes of those veterans -\o found it very moving.
Thank you everyone and Derek - I wondered where you had gone it is o long since I heard from you.
I read you every day Pat but only tend to comment if I feel that I have something worth saying. Keep up the good fight x
Such a positive and uplifting post. Thank you.
It certainly does make sense and I endeavour to do that every day. I was 8 when D-Day took place, and totally unaware of what was happening across the Channel. My mother made sure I saw no newspapers or listened to news bulletins at the time, and only much later did I realise what a huge sacrifice so many men had made so that my childhood, and that of others, could carry on in comparative safety. My gratitude and admiration for them has never wavered. I watched the commemorative service which was attended by Princess Anne and found parts of it profoundly moving. It is right that we should 'make a fuss' even after all these years. The best thing we can do in memory of all those lost men, is enjoy the world we live in and try to find something beautiful in it every day, however small.
I don't really know why this entertained me as much as it did. In a recent cricket match at the Essex ground at Chelmsford one of Essex's young batsmen managed to hit the ball into the second floor of some retirement flats which give a fine view of the ground. It clanged against one of the few balconies where no one was sitting watching. The commentator was just saying what a stroke of luck that was, when the door to the flat opened, a small, grey-haired lady came onto the balcony. Smiling broadly, she lifted both arms to signal six, then went back into the safety of her flat.
John - wish I had seen it. You and I both know how it is important to dwell on the entertaining things. Often think of you. Wish you would post some of your lovely walks again - that would certainly make me happy (and many others too I suspect.
Heather - thank you for your response - agree with every word of it.
Thank you for letting me know you are still hale and hearty. Hope you are still wilding that stretch of grass - the ox eye daisies will be a sight to behold.
Sorry - the last paragraph is meant for you Derek.
Yes Pat, the wildflower meadow that now covers half of my front lawns, this year looks quite superb. Ox-eye Daisies, Red Campion and Yellow Rattle are all in flower and they will soon be followed by Knapweed and Cornflower.
I agree completely. It seems when news sites don't have enough local trauma to report then they scrape up something sad from a distant land, drownings, bridges collapsing and on and on. A 100yrs ago these things would never have got reported worlwide. Now we are inundated with negativity. Maybe I will start writing my blog again and start finding positive things to post.
This was a lovely post that resonated with me as
did all the comments.
It’s so important to celebrate our heroes and heroines and to make sure we enjoy our lives.
My Dad was in the fleet air arm and survived being torpedoed on the Ark Royal. Mum was a Wren and survived the saturation bombing of Coventry.
So grateful to all who served whether at home or in combat.
Sue
I so agree with you to search out the good. It is all around us. The news is loud and right there, always in our face. The good is quiet and unassuming and a delightful gift when it presents itself. A few years ago my husband and I went to Normandy and had the most amazing tour guide whose grandfather had to house the Germans in his hotel. Her stories and the history that surrounded us was humbling and reminded us to never forget.
I agree with you, we should continue to honor those who freed Europe from the horrors of the Nazis. Not just Europe but the world. I hope the world today will stand up for democracy and human rights.
Kay
What a nice positive post Pat, and I agree with all that you say. We should always be looking for the positive things and and the good around us. If they are difficult to spot at times, we should simply look harder.
On Saturday our motorway was filled with with 45,0000 bikers heading originally from London all the way to Barrow in Furness to join in celebrations for 'Dave Day', a day to celebrate the life of Hairy Biker Dave Myers. Their route and every motorway bridge was lined with happy waving people supporting their progress. A real feel good day for everyone involved.
My dad was a Canadian who fought in WW2. He never spoke about the war and after he died I found out that his best friend was shot and killed, right beside him. I do know that my father was terrified of dying, "...because of things I did during the war.", he told me. I told him god doesn't work like that. I am very thankful for those young men who had the courage or stupidity, to get off those boats for D day. I don't think I could have.
I looked up the horses. OMG, that white horse looked awful, the blood showed up very well on his/her coat. I'm so glad they're all okay and survived the ordeal.
SUE I do agree - a very moving experience - he was a lovely chap. His soulmate and fellow cook was visibly moved by the whole thing.
DEREK Interesting you encourage Knapweed - is it the pink creeping one. One appeared in crack in the paving by my front door. After reading about it I got him to eradicate it. Ir was so pretty but got a BEWARE notice sying it could take over;
Thanks all. Have COVID!!!!
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