A Day to Remember
I awoke with such vigor and anxiousness for the day. It was an unbelievably beautiful and crisp Fall day, perfect for the day's events. We must make it down to see the Remembrance Day service, like I've done nearly every year of my life.
The phone rings, it's shortly passed 8:00 and my client would like to view a house. I set an appointment for Friday and wish them a great day. Back in my room now, the bed looks so comfy and warm on such a brisk day. "I'll just grab a couple more minutes of sleep before I start today." Eyes shoot open, it's now 10:15 AM, and service starts in 15 minutes. I scold myself under my breath as I scurry around the house to get ready.
Find my parking space at my old downtown apartment and run across the city. I see others are still walking towards the Cenotaph, but I still can't help but be angry with myself. Arriving amongst the large crowd I quickly become anonymous amongst the faces. I find my spot and plant myself. "Made it, now get the photos you want"
I snap photos of the men and women marching through, the monuments, and the families paying their respects. I see some children squirming and their parents trying to get them to sit still. I think how they are too young to realize what these men and women have done for us, to allow us to have such a free life. Then I think again of my morning and how I casually brushed Remembrance Day to the side and went back to bed, "Just for a couple more minutes" I told myself. I scold myself again.
Not too long after, I see this gentleman marching. He must be nearly 85 or 90 years old. I can't seem to stop starring at him. I realize how long he has been on this Earth, and how many things this man has seen. I think of the world he grew up in and how things must be quite different for him now. At one point he would have been just a young man like myself. What were his goals and dreams? What kind of life did he live? What struggles did he endure?
It has only been 2 months now since my 25 Birthday, and I've caught myself many times in deep reflection over my life. Thinking about the choices I've made until now, and what choices lay in the future for me to make. When I see this man marching in the parade, these thoughts quickly come flooding back, but this time with a new perspective.
I can see clearly now how much I take my life for granted. I've taken for granted the family who loves me and the friends who I should cherish having. The education that was given to me, the vehicle I drive in, the food and water I eat, all at times being taken for granted.
The man is closer now and I can see his face clearly. His eyes are high, his back is straight, his walk is practiced and proud. He is thinking of the choices he made in his life till now. He is thinking of the choices he is about to make. He is thinking of the friends and family before him, that are no longer with him to share and enjoy memories together. Is there anything he has taken for granted I wonder?
I think again of the morning and how I took this 'holiday' for granted and slept in. Now I realize I had that choice. I have the opportunity to spend the day, anyway as I choose. It is difficult to imagine a world we live in where we cannot have the freedom to do so. I realize every single one of us at some point take for granted, the fact that this life we have, this country we live in and the freedoms we possess, were at one point in jeopardy. Thousands of Canadian men and women, risked their lives to ensure our freedoms. Thousands more, make it their daily jobs to go out and ensure not only our freedoms, but fight for those around the world to have their own as well.
I want to take the time to thank all of you. To the many men and women who lost their lives, the many women and men who lost their friends and families, and those men and women that risk their lives now, thank you. Thank you for doing what you do, which allows the rest of us to live our lives with the freedoms we have.
In loving memory of my Papa Schmidt and my Papa Warden. I love you both so much