NANA SAYS WELCOMING A NEW BABY TO THE FAMILY IS PRECIOUS

Welcoming a new baby to the family group is always a precious moment. As we lose people along the way, new life helps to keep the family going! New challenges for parents with older children. Helping siblings to adapt is a daily occurrence. Fortunately the new baby does not notice the older children are getting attention. The baby eats, sleeps, gets cuddled, can get rocked but does not worry Mommy and Daddy are helping the other children. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends can help with the transition. By watching the baby, Mommy can have a bath or shower. Taking the older children to events and giving some quality time can give the parens of the new baby some alone time! Babies are babies and lots of fun to have around family events! 

TAKING THE HECTIC OUT OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

Christmas preparation does not have to be hectic with the right plan and mindset. Christmas 25th is the day every year. If the preparation is started early, then the tasks fall into place. Many people buy presents year round, putting them aside to use at Christmas. Others decide to think shopping is what Christmas is all about! Hum! So what are the main events other than shopping.
Putting up the Christmas lights. Decorating the house. Putting up the tree. Wrapping those gifts. The Christmas events such as parties, pot luck at work, the visit to Santa, the Christmas pictures of the children,family get togethers or who is hosting the family dinners. Of course, Christmas cards and out of town parcels. Which church to attend or do you help with the Christmas concert! Sharing the Christmas message with little ones with a creche and Christmas stories!
Since I do have decades of experience with all of the above, I will be writing various posts over the next few weeks with some strategies for you. Please email or write comments about your own strategies.
Firstly if you have not done it already, write a list of all the people that require consideration for a present, a hostess gift etc. Since the out of town people need a gift sooner, start with them.
For the record, I usually write this list sometime in August. My girls provide the lists for their children mid-October. However, just getting started really helps.
Oh yes, I know there are many that only give gift cards and their Christmas message is an email saying Merry Christmas everyone! There are others where Christmas is a time of family and gathering so it is to those people that I want to share my ideas and organizational skills!
Many young families like the photo Christmas card showing their growing family so please do not tell me no one sends cards anymore! Some do, and some do not!  Christmas can be many things to many people!

So let's take the hectic out of Christmas!

IN FLANDERS FIELDS-A REMEMBRANCE TRIBUTE 2013

Wear your poppy today in remembrance!
A famous Canadian John McCrae wrote a poem on the battlefield during World War One. I have transcribed it here.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on  row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow
Loved and were love, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you, from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This poem is read and recited at most Remembrance services across Canada. John McCrae did not return home from the war but his reflection is a continual reminder to us all!

ENGLISH CEMETERY IN CASSINO ITALY-REMEMBERING OUR CANADIANS

The Cassino area has several cemeteries honouring those who died in World War Two. The English cemetery otherwise known as the British Commonwealth cemetery is in the Commune of Cassino, Province of Frosinone, Italy. There are grave markers of 4265 British Commonwealth Forces, 855 Canadians are buried there. On the Monuments by the pond area with 4,054 names who do not have an individual grave 194 Canadians can be found. Monte Cassino Monastery overlooks the cemetery. The history of the battles from 1944 is well recorded and analysed. For me this cemetery represents a piece of Canada . Married to an Italian born Canadian-Adolph, I had always heard about the area and his hometown. When I visited the cemetery in 1991, I came away feeling that a part of Canada will always belong there. In the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, I always ask the Veterans selling poppies what campaign they fought. If it was the Italian campaign I always mention my visit to Cassino. I am sure the memories of lost comrades in arms never leave them. I feel to remember keeps me humble today! Have you visited a war cemetery? What were your feelings?

REVISITING THE CASSINO WAR CEMETERY-WAS I WORTH THEIR SACRIFICE

Adolph and I visited Italy in August 1991. I wrote this story several months later and tried to have it published-to no avail. So November 1, 2010, I wrote it and posted in on my blog. I decided to write it again today as a repeat post as the story is still valuable to help with Remembrance activities. The original title was "Was I worth their Sacrifice?Cassino War Cemetery".

Sometimes it takes a trip abroad to discover a Canadian sense of self. While touring the local sites in my husband's hometown of Cassino, Italy, south of Rome last summer we visited the three war cemeteries in the area. The are entitled the Polish, the German and the English cemeteries.

During World War Two, the Germans had established two main lines of defense- the Gustav and Hitler lines to check the Allies from advancing to Rome. During April and May 1944, there was major fighting in the area culminating with the bombing of the Benedictine Monastery on Monte Cassino. It was imperative to secure that location as it had a strategic vantage point overlooking the Liri Valley. Once captured it allowed the Allies an open road to Rome. On May 16, 1944 the First Canadian Corps received orders to advance on the Hitler line six miles up the Valley. The attack began May 23, Frosinone, the captial to the region was occupied by May 31. The Canadian campaign came to an end in the area as the Allies advanced to liberate Rome.

As we visited each cemetery, we noted the varying locations. The Polish cemetery is located near the Abbey where they had secured the Cassino position and the Monastery on May 18, 1944. The Polish General who died several years after the War requested to be buried with his troops. The German cemetery is located in Valley with triple graves of soldiers as there were just too many to bury. Rows and rows of young men, which makes it difficult to picture them as an enemy now.

Our last visit was the English cemetery or really the British Commonwealth one. Walking into the cemetery, I read the signs, inscribed on the two walls which state.

"WITHIN THIS CEMETERY STAND MONUMENTS WHICH BEAR THE NAMES OF THE SOLDIERS OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND EMPIRE WHO FELL IN ASSAULTS UPON THE SHORES OF SICILY AND ITALY OR IN LATER BATTLES TO FREE ITALIAN SOIL AND TO WHOM THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED A KNOWN AND HONOURED GRAVE. AROUND THEM ARE THE GRAVES OF THEIR COMRADES WHO DIED FIGHTING IN THESE PARTS TO OPEN THE WAY TO ROME AND THE NORTH."

The other wall bears this inscription.

"THE LAND ON WHICH THIS CEMETERY STANDS IS THE GIFT OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE FOR THE PERPETUAL RESTING PLACE OF THE SAILORS, SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN WHO ARE HONOURED HERE."

The Canadian section was quite large and distinguishable by the Maple Leaf adorning the top of each stone. It is one small cemetery of many in 74 countries that honour the 109,980 Canadians who died in the First and Second World Wars.

 I began to read the names of the men of the regiments of the First Canadian Corps. From Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, West Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Special services, The Engineers and more places, were all resting in peace. What overwelmed me were the dates in April, May. How many had fallen together. Comrades in Life! Comrades in Death!
My Canadians! Our Canadians! Tears and emotion overcame me. I left my companions as I did not want them to see my tears. I continued to walk amongst the rows wanting a glimpse of each stone. I felt I owed them; to acknowledge their being, their worth. Young men, mostly in their teens, their twenties, their thirties, who were denied a life that only those in middle age and older can appreciate that death in youth really has no rewards. But why was I crying? I felt a sense of pride. Those men fought for us, our freedom. They believed in a greater cause. I felt a sense of anger and the realization that if very politician and General would visit the cemeteries of the previous war, perhaps we could try to find alternatives. I felt a sense of sadness. Those men were sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, friends. They were missed at home. They did not chose that resting place. I remembered. An uncle had fought in Italy. A family friend went through there. Were those men their comrades?

All the cemeteries were quiet and peaceful. In Europe, they are kept clean often better maintained than the surrounding towns. Our men are honoured there. Almost fifty years buried while the living has gone on.

Would they be proud of Canada today? Would they consider us grateful of the freedoms they secured for us? Would they feel their cause was understood? Am I doing for Canada and freedom what I inherited from those men? To all those buried in the many cemeterires, am I worthy of your sacrifice?
April 1992

Reflecting and rewriting this story does bring back many memories. Of course the pictures help. Monte Cassino in the background overlooking the valley brings the historical facts to life. June 6 2014 will be the 70th anniversary of D-Day. As well it will be 70 years since the battles of the Cassino area. Remembering does not glorify war. Our peace and freedom have come with a price. Even today in communities across the country, men and women serve not just in the military,but police, firefighters, health care personnel and other disciplines to ensure our communities thrive. So as we reflect on Novemeber 11th at the 11th hour- remember and think about what it means to you. LEST WE FORGET!

GERMAN WAR CEMETERY-CASSINO ITALY

The German War Cemetery near Cassino is another poignant reminder of the loss of war. Young men who died in the battles in the Spring of 1944 have eternal rest as the Monte Cassino oversees it.

Rows and rows of graves often with three to a grave is a reminder of the sacrifice of war. Adolph and I visited this cemetery during our stay in August 1991. When viewing the ages of the soldiers, it hard to picture them the enemy now. As with all European war cemeteries, it is immaculate. And quiet! It seems the solemn mood reinforces the loss of life on both sides of the conflict. German tourists often make a stop in this area to honour their ancestors. Have you visited a war cemetery? The ages of the young men is very moving! Such a reminder that a life was stopped before it had a real chance to keep going. Deutschner Soldaten-German soldiers-are remembered here.

CMENTARZ POLEGLYCH-POLISH CEMETERY CASSINO ITALY

At the base of Monte Cassino, in Cassino Italy lies the Polish Cemetery. Allies in World War Two their valiant efforts helped secure Italy. In the battles for Monte Cassino, many brave soldiers died. Cmentarz Poleglych-Polish Cemetery also houses the General who died in 1962. He wanted to be buried with his men.

Adolph and I had visited this cemetery during one of our visits to Italy-August 1991. Silent- it is a testimony to those who fought in the battles. Books have been written about those battles in and around Monte Cassino in the Spring of 1944. My mother remembered the various soldiers that had come to Canada to train during the war. She remembered the Polish ones too. Did some of them fight in Italy? Today
 it is a stop on Italian bus tours for many people of Polish descent to visit and honour their ancestors who died.  Any trip to a war cemetery gives a very poignant story of war. The ages of young men is heartbreaking. So on Remembrance Day think about those young men who rest permanently there.