Day 37 Week 7

The Remembrance Service in the village was wonderful. The turn out was enormous - never seen so many in attendance before. Our Vicar, who is so charismatic, gave the most wonderful sermon about an eighty five year old man who had tragically killed himself in a flying accident a couple of years ago, and when the vicar attended the funeral the widow had given him a diary. It turns out it was a log of the gentleman's war time exploits as an observer on Stirling bombers, and it was choc-a-bloc with vivid descriptions of active service and camaraderie between the close knit crew. The Vicar read extracts to the assembled congregation and it was utterly mesmerising following the war time experiences and contemplations from such a young man so long ago. Then the twist to the whole tale turned out to be that our vicar's late father was actually the pilot and skipper of the crew and their plane was lost on a mission with when they were stood down on leave for a week. The vicar had known none of the story before.

Sat in the church remembering the Christmas Day carol service by candlelight, when H, C, R and myself had sat clutching our jam jars in the late afternoon darkness, singing old favourites such as 'Oh little Town' and 'Once in Royal David's City'. And the vicar was dressed in his dressing gown with a tea towel on his head as he read the Nativity. It was blissfully eccentric and totally beguiling, such happy days.

Still heard nothing from C.

Just been talking to the lovely nurse about the importance of home. Her son and only child has just left for uni and we were discussing how necessary it is for our off spring to know that all is well and fine and just as it should be back in the nest. It's as if they need to touch base, be reassured and then they can go off and face whatever comes their way. Their confidence and comfort comes from the knowledge that whatever happens they can always go home. Must send another parcel out this week.

My fellow soldier's Mum has just sent me a message and cannot say how good that is. Her son fine too - well we're both in the position that we cling on to no news is a positive. Was speaking to a Paratrooper yesterday and he told me that as soon as someone is lost there is an immediate embargo on use of phones and computers in order to prevent the news being sent home before the families have been informed. So the awful reality is that when you do hear something via the media it is definitely someone else's grief - not to say that after being grateful your own is safe and well this time, you don't mourn for a stranger's loss.

Went through some old photos last night - heavens life seemed so much more simple in those days.

H has hopefully completed his vivat by now - hope all went well. R safely back from Huddersfield - apparently it's a long drive from London. I'm just off to do my exercise and hopefully everyone safe.

Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x