Every morning my train journey is pretty much the same; I read write some emails, read the paper, listen to some music and put make up on (yes I am that woman who's pulling faces trying to put mascara on whilst looking in a dirty mirror with the sun in my eyes). The train rolls into the station and I just walk off it, through the barriers, being pushed along with all the other commuters. It's mindless really, as in I don't need to think I just get carried along with the momentum of the other people. I'm locked in my own little world, thinking about my own things, listening to my music. I look ahead, trying not to bump into people but I don't really see anyone or anything.
But this morning I did. I saw two soldiers selling poppies. They were young men and they looked full of purpose. Sometimes you see things or hear things that out of nowhere seem to cause a lump to rise in your throat. I don't know why these two men had this effect on me. Maybe it was because I realised how relevant Remembrance Sunday continues to be today; young men and women continue to be killed in wars and we must continue to salute their bravery and remember what they do for us. Or maybe it was that these young men had followed their beliefs and joined the Army which, whatever your views on the wars it is deployed in, is an incredibly valuable and important institution. Or maybe I'm just a sucker for a smart uniform and chestful of medals. But there was something both humble and proud about them and just seeing the people buying their poppies from them was life affirming in some way.
The work the men and women in the Army do today is amazing. And regardless of your personal views on our Army's involvement in conflicts around the world, what they do is remarkable. The fact that some won't come home is a horrible reality. The least we can do is buy a poppy.
Coincidentally I was sent an email today from the Royal British Legion about its Shoulder to Shoulder campaign. The idea is that you upload a picture of yourself and/or your family, write a message of support to our soldiers and your image is posted on a virtual wall alongside many others, standing shoulder to shoulder with those who serve. If you get a chance stop by and take a look.
But even if you don't, make sure you wear your poppy with pride. I know I will.
a really touching post. Would you mind if I linked to it from my blog series on Remembrance?
ReplyDeleteI lost my poppy the other day (in Aldi of all places) so I must buy another one. This was a really lovely post, and so true. It's not just about remembrance anymore - there are men and women out there fighting, and dying, for our country.
ReplyDeleteOn a different topic entirely - do you really put your makeup on on the train? I'm always intrigued by people who that! If you worry what you look like enough to put makeup on, do you not worry about doing it in public? (Then again, it takes so much makeup to get me out of the house though, I'd need to take a trolley or something with me!)
I always eat my breakfast on the way (I take it with me to save cash), I suppose we all have our own little ways of getting an extra 5 minutes in bed!