November 11

i found a large part of my day being thankful today. thankful for the people and places around me, thankful for the family i have and the freedoms we enjoy. thankful for a day of remembering, thankful for people like my grandpa and grandma.

norman george alexander anderson, that's my grandpa. he was born in the district of clayoquot bc, tofino on november the seventh 1922. by 1934 he had joined the rainbow sea cadet corps, in the january of 1940 he joined the navy. he married my grandma in 1947 and by 1957 he had a family of two and was promoted to lieutenant with seniority. on september 12th of 1964 he was promoted to lieutenant commander with seniority. in november of 1972 he retired from the royal canadian navy. his journey during these years has been documented, read, re-read and some stories have been told. hard to imagine the life he has lead, the adventures he undertook and the hardship he and his beautiful wife endured. hard to know what to write to honor him and those who battled with him, to honor those who stayed behind to grow families and bless their children. what words do you use to say thank you, thank you for; the years of service, your willingness, your passion and drive, your attitude and courage. thank you for standing strong no matter what adversities you faced, for holding each others hands when you had the chance, for choosing to fight for that which you believed in - both abroad and at home. thank you from the bottom of my heart for the journey you took and though i have no idea, no understanding of all that was seen, heard, touched and suffered, thank you. thank you that i don't have to know. thank you for the tears you have shed apart and together, thank you for raising your family well and teaching us through example.

my prayer this day, that those who lost would feel loved, that those who suffered would know hope, that those who fight would find peace. may our actions today both big and small demand peace, may we make choices every day that would result in shalom.

thank you to my grandparents. thank you with all that i have.