Remember

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there;

I did not die.

Mary Elizabeth Fry

I saw an image today that said: “Remember the dead, but fight hard as hell for the living”

My Dad says to me every now again “Enjoy yourself for God’s sake. You’re a long time dead”

On this, Remembrance Sunday in the UK, I will, along with millions of others, fall silent at 11 am and remember.

I will honour the people lost to me, smile quietly at what they offered me, thank them humbly for how they touched my life and feel the sadness of their loss.

Then I will begin again to be thankful for all that I have.

For being able to move and be in the world on a freezing, crisp November day.

I will remember that  it’s good to be alive.