Remembrance Day and my Dad

Good Sunday evening everyone!

Whatcha'll (new word!) get up to on the weekend?

Here in Canada, today - November 11th - is Remembrance Day; a day set aside each year to recall the many sacrifices - sometimes of the ultimate variety - made by our military men and women both in the past and the present.

I'm very happy to say that I still have my father with me - an 83-year-old veteran of the Second World War. One of ten children, he has outlived all of his family, a great many of his friends and to the best of his knowledge, most if not all of the infantry platoon he served with overseas nearly 70 years ago (he was 17 when he enlisted).
He's had a very rich life in so much as he has loved and been loved, given everything to his wife of 55 years and family of four children, and up until a few years ago, enjoyed exceptionally good health.

It was then that things started to change when he first underwent a triple bypass and then a couple years later endured not one but two brain surgeries and then just a few weeks ago, suffered a mini-stroke. Physically he always bounces back but I think he is growing weary and depressed, which is often difficult to see given how incredibly active,vibrant and fun-loving he was as recent as three years ago.

And yet, just like the Energizer Bunny, he just keeps going and going and going...maybe his tenacity is due in part to his time spent in the army. I'd like to think it played some role, no matter how small, in making him the incredible man he is.

So on this special day in Canada reserved for remembering those who risk their lives and those who have lost their lives in the name of keeping our country safe, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And thank you too Dad. For everything. I love you.

Susan