Under clear blue skies at the Remembrance Day ceremonies
I wasn’t going to go.
I had a brunch at 11 that when we’d scheduled it, hadn’t connected in my mind to the fact it was Remembrance Day.
And, it was cold outside. Very cold. -15 Celsius cold, or 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold enough to make trumpet blowing squeaky, bagpipe playing squawky.
But, it was Remembrance Day. What is more important to you, Louise? I asked myself as I debated the pros and cons of going downtown to the Cenotaph where I go every Remembrance Day.
I sighed.
Being there, turning up, honouring my father and all those who fought for freedom, our country, democracy.
Turning up was more important.
I chose to be late to brunch (I did call my hostess to let her know) and go to the Cenotaph.
I was surprised. There were at least 200 people there. 7,000 I heard later on the radio, at the Museum of the Regiments, the other outdoor site where Remembrance Day ceremonies are held.
As I drove I listened to CBC Radio and heard a speech by Michael Hornburg whose son, Nathan, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007.
I listened to Michael Hornburg and felt his loss radiating through out the enclosed confines of my car.
“War is evil,” said the Pastor who gave the blessing at the ceremonies. “It is the ultimate conflict between human beings.” And then, he invited everyone to ask themselves one question. “Is peace worth it?”
What am I willing to do for peace?
Let go of anger.
Put down my judgements.
Let go of my criticisms.
Release my regrets.
Dissolve my shame.
What am I willing to do for peace?
Later, at brunch, we talked about peace and peace-making. We talked about what it takes to create more of what we want in the world and envisioned a world where we co-creatively designed peace.
Peace is possible.
As long as we, the humans who create war, choose to collaborate in its end.
Peace is possible.
Let’s do it. Let’s make a world of difference by choosing to act only in peace today.
You can listen to the audio of Michael Hornburg’s speech, HERE.Â
Dare Boldly 
Peace is possible it is just unlikely which is sad………….
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One of my favourite books is Bill Strickland’s — Make the Impossible Possible — at least if we each do our bit Joanne, we’ll all be creating some peace. And, I believe just holding the thought of peace is an important step! Hugs.
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There is no other alternative than PEACE. We need to look inside first, forgive ourselves first. Start there. Then move onto family, community, City. We must realize that PEACE is the only way.
THANKS Louise for all you do for PEACE. It never goes unnoticed.
Di
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So true Dianne — to create peace in our world, we must first dig into our soul to enlighten our spirits in Love. Blessings my friend.
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Beautiful post, Louise. It sounds like you knew the only choice was to go and honor your dad. So wonderful that you could then continue the spirit of the Remembrance Day ceremony with your friends at brunch. I do believe it is possible too.
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Thanks Lisa — yes, that’s true. I knew whatever choice I made it had to create harmony in my world — and thinking about not going was creating discord 🙂
Hugs — your post on going into your smoke-filled home was heart-wrenching.
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So much truth in what you write Maureen — and ultimately, you are right. for the sake of our sons and daughters, we must each begin making those choices that create the difference they will live with in our world.
Hugs
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I’m not sure I understand the question, “Is peace worth it?”; what is the “it”? To look back through all of history is to see just how elusive peace is (if interpreted as “no war”), and how often it is not the result peace that’s being sought in the first place but the upholding of the right to fundamental freedoms to which all people aspire. The tension is always there, and with it the possibility of conflict and hostilities. I don’t think our generation will see a world completely at peace/without war; I have hopes my son’s generation might, only because of what I see happening in the Arab Spring countries. And yet, given the vitriol and disgusting outbursts that have followed our elections here, I see how much is left to be done, especially to educate those generations behind us. A day at a time, a person at a time… it has to start with the individual person wanting something different and being willing to make choices that achieve that difference.
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