"We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
'Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away
So will you please say hello
To the folks that I know
Tell them I won't be long
They'll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singing this song
We'll meet again
Don't know where Don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day"
As I have been researching WWII recently, several parallels have come to mind... This year as things have changed, it has brought to mind the way that those who lived through WWII pulled together to fight and do their part.
It has not been since 7 December 1941 (except for 11 September 2001 and a few other occasions) that we have had war come to our shores. Since then, there have been wars that we (as Americans) have fought in but they have not united us in the same way that WWII did. This year has brought that need for comradery back to our shores. There are so many things that we can learn from the 'greatest generation'.
This spring I had to abruptly leave my college being uncertain of what the future would hold, not knowing whether or if I would see friends or family again. That brought the wondering of what it must have been like for those during the second World War, to one day have friends near by and the next not know if you would ever see them again.
Near the end of summer, my husband and I got married. This meant I had to move out of my parent's home, a thing which I had never done before. While I had moved away to attend college, I had never yet moved far enough that coming home for the holidays would now not be an option (due to Covid-19).
One song that has recently been on my mind is the song made famous by Dame Vera Lynn (also known as 'the forces sweetheart'). The song is called We'll Meet Again. In this song it talks about carrying on and smiling even if we don't know if we'll meet again. While this song was made popular during the years of WWII, the words ring true for this year especially with the holidays.
One of my favorite performances is by a group called the D-Day Darlings. The D-Day Darlings of Britain, work to keep the music of WWI and WWII alive. They also work to keep the wartime spirit alive.
Now as we all come to the Christmas season, which often has many traditions involved such as gathering with family, giving presents, and spending time reminiscing. This year will look very different for my extended family, who has (for as long as I can remember) gathered every year for Christmas. Thanks to technology, we will likely still be able to gather in a sense.
Christmas is the time for not only giving (of both gifts and also to charity) but also for reading or hearing the story of Christ's birth. So often we take for granted the importance of this story because we have heard it so many times. Let us not in our anxiousness for Christ's second coming, forget the impact and significance of his first coming. This idea was shared by our pastor in a recent sermon.
As a Christian, many of us believe that Christ the Messiah will return a second time some day. Who knows when that will happen. But when it does, it will be a Sonny day. Sunny not just because Christ has returned but also because we will be united with those we love. While this Christmas is going to look different, it is only an addition to this year of change. This year has held many changes for my family. Just shortly after our wedding my husband lost one of his favorite Uncles. Also at the end of summer I graduated from college. Both my graduation and my wedding are events that I wish my favorite great Aunt could have been a part of, unfortunately she passed away a couple years ago. So I look forward to the day when I can see her again and hear her laugh and see her smile.
Who are you going to either remember or reach out to this holiday season?
*Mustard Picture, taken by my husband in April of this year.
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