Thought For The Week 29 April 2018

When I was in Wellington recently, I had the opportunity to go to Te Papa with my 12 year old grandson Kieran to view the Gallipoli: The scale of our war Exhibition. It was Kieran’s fourth time and my first. I mentioned to Kieran that   others had found the exhibition overwhelming and I may find it easier to view it in stages. He agreed. “So Kieran, what should we view first?” I asked. “Just look at the sculptures Grandie, read the stories of those people then look at the large scale   models of the landscapes where the soldiers were fighting.  You will have to come back another time to view other parts of the exhibition”.  He is quite right. It is just too much to take in and of course you are amongst many other people jostling for space to do the same thing.

I noticed the further through the exhibition I walked the quieter it became. Just too overwhelming. The stories are heart breaking – of course. It would be a very insensitive person who wouldn’t have a tear or two in their eyes when they leave.

And so to Anzac Day. I found myself rather melancholy as the stories of the soldiers were being   retold and together with the bagpipes and the bugle playing the Last Post…..Wow! I am humbled by the actions of all the brave men and women who went to war, most not knowing what was ahead yet sacrificed so much for our freedom. Many of us have had family members who were these men and women.

‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them”.

Lest we Forget……………….

Helen