Remember .

At the Last Supper on the night before He died Jesus asked his twelve Apostles to ‘ remember me ‘. Not a great deal to ask yet one was about to betray Him and one was about to deny Him. Nonetheless what happened next is still remembered today two thousand years on.

In the two world wars of the 20th Century One million British Military personnel lost their lives, a number equivalent to the entire City of Birmingham being wiped out. In villages across Britain we shall remember those young men and women who gave their lives like Jesus for us. In my village 96 people lost their lives, a cross for everyone in the above photo. Those alive today will not have known these people and in the main our remembrance is blind.

When loved ones pass away we remember them in our own ways and for those left behind the experience without them can be devastating. In grief we remember the good over the bad and for those that believe we can look forward to reunion.

One thing never taken away for those with sound minds are memories and for those with neurological disease we shall never know what they feel and equally they will never know how those around them feel.

For many this year as we thought we left Covid 19 lockdown many lost those around them and were prevented from saying a proper farewell or even touch the other. All the more reason why as we live we should remember to love those around us and be gracious to those in our lives, seeking peace where we can with our foes. None of this is easy of course hence the Calvary Cross and the Dunkirk beaches and all.

Lest we forget remember this, life is a one way street , no u turns , no going back, forward only, onwards and upwards taking good care how we go , what we say , what we do and how we conduct our lives. Those young ones that lost theirs never to see full term made sacrifice for you and me. Remember that next week and wear your poppy proudly.