So proud of the traditional 4th May Remembrance Day ceremony in The Netherlands. A National 2-minute silence at 8PM as we commemorate those who lost their lives in World War II. Today, the ceremonial acts ring true deeply and honour so many after 75 years of our Freedom.
My father was a young British RAF soldier in WWII and fought for our freedom on the beaches of Normandy, on DDAY.
My mum’s family on my Grandmothers side, were Jewish and most were murdered in the extermination camps in Poland.
So I remember what it was like to grow up with war ever present in the house, in even the smallest of moments.
After my Dad’s pilgrimage journey to Normandy, I asked him: “what’s that huge scar on your belly anyway?”, he said: “Just a tiger bite darling and that’s all I will say about it!” -“Remember to always be compassionate, for you don’t know what people have been through or what they’ve seen.”
So many unspoken words as a child I really didn’t understand. I did, however, pick up on the messages.
The underlying patterns and dynamics carving a place in my heart as many of the people in my heritage didn’t get to live their lives.
All those lives unlived so alive in me. In honour of them, I will live joyfully and in compassion.
~ Barbara Piper