Anzac Memory; We will remember them..

Maree from Carterton District

#AnzacDay2025
www.lyf4u.co.nz...
A while back, I was sitting in the day lounge of the Resthome with my mum ( who hass since passed) on one side, and a delightful resident lady on my other.

Over our cuppa we began to chat;
I asked her what was life before she lived in Resthome care like for her?
She replied, It was over in a flash;
One minute I was happily raising our family on a sheep farm, (which we were bilited after the war) helping in the sheds, working alongside my darling husband; the next minute our children had grown and left the country life for the city to find their own way.
Then of course there was the war to live through.
I listened as a silence passed while she recalled that time.
My darling then had a stroke and died. she said sadly...and before I knew it, I became overnight frail, and so here I am...spoken in one flippant sentence.
She reminded me; and said" One day your life will flash before your eyes".
I couldn't help but see her eyes filled with tears, mixed in love,joy, sadness and wisdom all rolled into one, when she said that.It stuck.
It reminded me how quickly time does pass and how right this elegant lady was...also just how much knowledge and opportunity for connection I value in our wise older generation.
I guess now with war, Its the Internet as our Cyber war, not to mention the 1st and 2nd world war or the wars in places with civil war, then there's all terrorism and ethnic violence just to name futile war's.
Dear oh Dear we never learn."She said".
Yet even with all these wars we can still fight and find life is worth enjoying.
Some may say a bucket list is not worth having.
But I say with the going down of the sun, I will always remember to enjoy life, because of those who lost theirs for me.
Even in the Resthome.
I would say it's more vital than ever... on the fact that you aint gonna live forever , you might as well do whatever you enjoy (within reason) and to be as happy as you can while you do live!
I know it's not easy, yet TRY to live as if ALL days matter, even the prickly ones..and with the knees going.
If we could ALL surrender that which you cannot change, accept one another as we are, how life would change.
I say enjoy what you enjoy, even the little seemingly everyday things , like a meal with family or a cup of tea are worthy of pleasure.
Keep a bucket list;
Fill it often; Because one minute, one day, one year it will be over..in a flash..dont waste a second in sadness any longer than you have too. ok.
Happiness is in your head and hands!
We are still blessed beyond this...and we cannot forget.
Hugs x 🥇
I cam across these fine looking soilders and horses in #eketahuna -seemed fitting ..