G'Day,
I've always got to start with G'Day, its Aussie to start with G'Day. G'day is short for"good day to you".
I have been having a visit from my son David, my daughter Annie and her boyfriend Michael for the last few days. It has been nice, I have missed them after leaving them behind in Wagga when I moved here. They have all gone out together to see a band tonight, with Mum's taxi service of course.
I am quite pleased with myself at the moment because having to find my way around Canberra has been a challenge to my memory and I have been doing quite well at remembering my direction and street names. Something I have not had to do for quite some time, as I knew my way around easily where I lived before here. I am beginning to enjoy driving around the city now.
I rang my cousin Ellen who lives in Scone the other night. My god can she talk! But I guess that's o.k. because I only talk to her every couple of years. She is on my Dad's side of the family. She is a font of knowledge about our family history and always talks about all that stuff, which I find interesting. Her dad was my fathers elder brother. All the uncles and aunties on that side of the family are gone now.
This Friday past was A.N.Z.A.C. day. I went to the march here in Canberra which was pretty special because I have never been to one here before.
Special because this is our nation's capital.
Special because there were 30.000 people who turned up for the march and ceremony, here in Canberra , a record.
Because each year we see less and less able bodied marchers who were servicemen and women in WW2. None now from WW1.
But more spectators each year to acknowledge their efforts in our countries history.
Special because I saw lots of children, both in the march and doing their bit for the march, like the little girl guides giving out sprigs of rosemary for remembrance to the public.
Before my Dad died he used to get quite disappointed that the marches and their spectators seemed to be dwindling. He would be pleased to see that nowadays ANZAC day has gone through a resurgence and lots more people turn up now. He used to get upset at the thought that the service persons who lost their lives in the service of our country were being forgotten.
I was also pleased that I kept my emotions under control at the march. I haven't always managed it. Not just because of my Dad and my army upbringing but because it is so bloody sad to see the old guys up there so proud of themselves and yet so sad for their mates who didn't manage to come back from the war.
My most memorable ANZAC day was when I was 14 years old and Dad took my sister and I to the dawn service at the war cemetery in Singapore. Perfect lines of white marble headstones, lots and lots of them slowly becoming illuminated by the rising sun. Which in turn slowly made the names readable in the early morning sunlight. Very emotional. The names of unknown soldiers, Aussie sons, many of whom were barely old enough to go to war. Younger than my own sons are now. Which brings me to; the prompt for Sunday scribblings this week. "The Future of our Planet"
You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one.
I hope one day you'll join us
And the world will live as one.
Great words, I wonder if we will ever manage it?
No, I guess not, not while men take the power to lead other men, the way they do into war.
While man is so greedy,dishonest in their greed and unwilling to give in for the sake of peace.
Right oh!
I suppose that might be at odds with someone who has grown up in the army environment that I have. But maybe , just maybe, I learnt some things along the way.
Bye Love Linda.