The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Remembrance Day is a really difficult time for me and I struggle each year with the lost, the waste, the pain and the turmoil of this world.
We owe so much to so few and still they follow and take up the banner in the name of justice and peace. Lest we forget, we hold this day in remembrance hoping that the world will learn and become a better, brighter, more thoughtful and unselfish world of equality and security and joy and love instead of power and might and terror and personal gain.
I read the following from a friend and I could not let it go, and I need to share this with a family I trust. I live alone and it is so hard when there is no-one there physically to help one through their pain. Please stay with me a moment or two, for I know that with your love and care I will come through.
A Poem for Remembrance Day - The Inquisitive Child.
Why are they selling poppies today, Mummy,
selling poppies in the town today?
The poppies, child, are flowers of love. For the wo/men who marched away. But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy? Why not a beautiful rose? Because my child, wo/men fought and died In the fields where the poppies grow. But why are the poppies so red, Mummy? Why are the poppies so red? Red is the colour of blood, my child. The blood that our soldiers shed. The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy. Why does it have to be black? Black, my child, is the symbol of grief. For the men who never came back. But why, Mummy are you crying so? Your tears are giving you pain. My tears are my fears for you my child. For the world is forgetting again!
It applies to each child, man and woman of each country in this world of ours. My family still serves it's country today and I can only say I am glad that my son will, after fifteen years as from December, never be sent to another theatre of war- praise God - but the sacrifices are still made.
My heart aches for each and every life lost through war and terror and strife and greed and misused power and injustice. My heart is very heavy having heard of yet more deaths of dear ones this day, for those left behind to mourn their loss.
Please pray for my strength to sustain this heart ache. Thank you.
Suzannah
__________________
Out of the ruin of my past I have found the fortress of myself and I know how to defend it.
Strive for WISDOM; Seek SERENITY; NEVER compromise your INTEGRITY.
I hear you.....sometimes I think the world will always be the same. The cruelty, suffering etc have been with us from time immemorial. The bible has a line about life being a "valley of tears"....I don't know that it has to be that way. However if you look at the advances made in the cause of peace, love and understanding we've come a long way, even in the last 50 years. Who would have thought during the peace marches that a black man would be president of the USA, that there would be openly gay men and women in government and other prominent positions and even actors? Who could have thought that alcoholism and drug addiction would be seen as a disease and was treatable and not something to be "punished" for. I could go on and on. The UN, aide to other countries victims of disaster that pour in from countries around the world. We've come along way. Maybe not far enough but I can't help but wonder: if we will never be perfect and always be a work in progress as individuals, why would I expect the world to ever be perfect, or anthing but a work in progress.
All the best Suzannah. Thanks for the poem. I lived alone until last year when my veteran moved in with me. How intense it was. He still suffers from his experiences overseas. I used to cry through the National Anthem. Let's us not forget those who serve and served and those lost.
I am remembering last year on what we call Memorial Day I went to see the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall. I am unlikley to see the actual one in Washington DC this was as close as I was going to get. My brother served in Vietnam and came home to us thank God. And standing there at the wall and watching people leave flowers, ballons all kinds of things for the loved ones they lost over there I was overcome with such sadness and grief then I saw a gentleman around my brothers age place a bottle of beer down with a note for his friend who did not make it out of the jungle with a note of how much he missed him. I literally broke into sobs, for all the men and woman who have given so selflessly of themselves to provide us with the Freedom we hold so dear yet take for granted. Thanks for giving us all the reminder Blessings
