April 25 - ANZAC Day

April 25 is ANZAC Day. It’s a day when Australians and New Zealanders celebrate and commemorate their armed forces – both past and present. In some ways it is like Remembrance Day. On April 25, Aussies and Kiwis gather for special dawn services and marches through the streets. The day is a national holiday for both countries.

Two years ago, Lyle and I were in Darwin for the ANZAC Day dawn service. The service was very moving. There is a strong military presence in Darwin and the general population was out in droves. Later in the morning the crowds showed up again to give a rousing cheer in recognition of those who marched in the mile long ANZAC Day parade.

By the afternoon the bars were crowded and so Lyle and I waited until the following day before going to the local RSL  (Returned Servicemen’s Club) where we raised a glass in honour of my dad. Dad was in the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) in New Guinea in WWII. The troops sometimes came to Darwin for some R and R time and the city was a special place for Dad.

In 2014, Lyle and I were in France for the Villers-Bretonneux ANZAC Day service. In World War 1, Australians were instrumental in saving this village from attack by the enemy. Each year the people of the village remember this event with a dawn service to honour those who fell in the siege.

This year, there won’t be any large gatherings on ANZAC Day. This year we have all been called to a war of a different kind. It is a global battle against an invisible but aggressive enemy. As foot soldiers in the battle, we are called to stay at home and to keep a social distance from others. It is a small role but if we all do our part we can win the war.

If you would like to read more about Darwin and Villers-Bretonneux on ANZAC Day, you can go to the archives of this blog by clicking on the links below: 

Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia – 2018, May 8

ANZAC day (Villers-Bretonneux) – 2014, April 25

April 18 - Music

Over Easter, did you happen to catch the news clip of Andrea Bocelli singing Amazing Grace? He was singing and standing alone in the cathedral in Milan. What an incredible voice! I read Bocelli’s biography, or perhaps it was his autobiography, some years back. It was a fascinating life story.

During the course of this pandemic I have also seen news clips of people singing from their balconies in various cities around the world. There haven’t been any singers on the front yards of our town. Instead, I have been listening to my CD collection inside my living room. This might sound like a rather ordinary thing to do but truthfully, in normal times, I haven’t usually found time to do this. I am using the “stay at home” advisory to listen to my music collection.

Lyle and I enjoy music and over the years we have collected a large assortment of CD’s. Initially, I thought that I would go through these with the idea of downsizing. So far not a single CD has reached the reject pile. Sometimes I sit in my easy chair and just listen and at other times I go through an exercise program in time with the music. Because I can’t see to read the labels on the CD covers, it is always a nice surprise to hear what will be playing next. At any time, listening to music seems a better alternative than listening to the constant, repetitive and depressing news bulletins surrounding COVID-19.

What are you doing to keep your sanity in these stay at home days? I highly recommend lifting your spirits with music.

April 10 - Remembering

This year, Good Friday falls on April 10. For those of us who hold to the Christian faith, Good Friday is a solemn day and one of sadness. However, because we are remembering the day with the benefit of hindsight, we can also look forward to the joy of Easter Sunday. Perhaps that is something we can think of in the midst of the sadness, anxiety and confusion of current times. If we hold firm we can look forward with hope towards the end of this tragic pandemic.

I have also been thinking of April 10 because it was the date when Lyle and I were married. Yes, it is our anniversary! I remember that on the day of our wedding, the sun was shining and the sky was a brilliant blue. Unlike this year when there is still an abundance of the white stuff on the ground, that year there was only a small trace of snow in the ditches.

April 10 is a special day for us and many stand out in memory. Most of our anniversaries have been spent at home but there have been others that we have celebrated away from home. We have been fortunate to spend two different years in Australia and another in France. On some anniversary days we were both still working and so chose to enjoy any celebration on the weekend prior or post the actual date. On one particular April 10, I was in hospital and Lyle brought me a dozen red roses for my nightstand. Four years ago we chose to host a celebration dinner for friends and family and invited a clever magician to provide the entertainment.

I must admit that in spite of the terrible happenings outside our doors, I have enjoyed some quiet times remembering these past anniversaries. I am including a picture of Lyle and myself with this post. It wasn’t taken on an anniversary date but just this past month when we were in Australia. The picture was taken in front of the Sydney Opera House. Usually this area is crowded with throngs of people, but in the picture, there are very few people and they are far away from us. The city was already practicing social distancing. I think that Lyle and I will always remember this anniversary on April 10, 2020. 

Sue and Lyle in front of the Sydney Opera House