Lest we forget

Today is ANZAC day in Australia. I really look forward each year to this commemorative day. As I wrote yesterday ANZAC day is a day of remembrance, reflection & gratitude. This morning we attended our local morning service, we try to go every year, it is a couple of seconds walk of our home & I love seeing the various member of our little community coming together.

Things begin with a parade, this year we appear to have lost some of our older diggers (term for Australian soldiers) as there was only those who could actually march in the parade. In previous years there have been a couple of diggers in vintage cars participating in the parade, sad that they are probably no longer with us.

Must admit I tear up with pride when I see our ex service men walking with such pride. And they have much to be proud of.

The actually service itself is quite simple, flags are raised to half mast & the hymn ‘Abide with me’ is sung. Members of the local RSL (returned services league) sub branch make speeches & recite the ode

They shall grow not old as we who are left grow old,

Age shall not weary the nor the years condemn,

at the going down of the sun, and in the morning,

We will remember them

 

Wreaths are laid at the memorial, the last post is played (again a teary moment) & we observe a minute silence.

It is always a cool, crisp morning. ANZAC day marks the real beginning of the cooler weather. It is a wonderful day of reflection & I can’t wait till next year.

Head above

The last few weeks I feel like I have been treading water & only just keeping my head above the water to stop me from drowning. Work has been intense. Much more intense that I thought I was getting myself into. 3 weeks of long hours & not enough sleep.

I feel like my life has been falling apart, nothing around the house is getting done. Can’t remember the last time I dusted anything, let along cleaned the bathroom. I like working, don’t get me wrong. I like bringing in another wage, it has given us alot of freedom to be able to replace & buy things that we have needed for the house. But I do miss being at home, I had learnt to appreciate the time that I was at home. In fact I actually like being a housewife, cleaning, organising.

We got a new person at work today, which I am hoping means that I am going to have reduced hours now. I will be working the hours that I was originally hired for, which will be a big change. A very welcome change. So I am hoping that I will be able to have more time at home. I have projects that I want to complete (and share!), washing that I want to fold, gardens that I want to weed & plants that I want to plant.

I don’t want to complain, I have been blessed with my new job. The work isn’t hard, the place is wonderful, I get lunch & the people are very nice. But adjusting to my new routine has proven to be harder then I thought it would. But do you want to hear the good news? I have the next two days off! Tomorrow I have all to myself, I have plans….lots of plans & the next day is ANZAC day which WH (wonderful husband) has off too which will be so lovely to spend together. ANZAC day by the way is an Australian holiday where we commemorate the landing at Gallipoli of Australian & New Zealand troops during WW1, it is also a time when we remember all of the troops who have fought & died for our country. I like pretty much all Australians have ancestors who fought in both world wars & other conflicts since, but my little brother is a current serving member of the RAAF (royal Australian air force) in an active squadron. I look forward to ANZAC day every year & I hope to be able to share why after Wednesday.