A day to remember, honour and reflect

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause and reflect.

We stop to think about something we can sometimes take for granted: the freedom and opportunities we have in our lives. We can easily get lost in day-to-day things, from work and responsibilities to the challenges we face, which at the time seem so consuming and overwhelming. Sometimes we forget to stop and appreciate the things that make our lives possible. Tomorrow, it’s particularly important that we do.

It’s our opportunity to honour and remember the brave men and women who served, who experienced things many of us will never face, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They did so for a better future, a better tomorrow, knowing there was a chance they wouldn’t experience it themselves. It was a profound display of love, selflessness and service.

These men and women were so brave and courageous that it’s easy to forget these heroes were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, just like us. They had families, hopes and dreams of their own.

Let tomorrow be a reminder to regularly stop for a moment of reflection: a moment of gratitude for all the blessings in our lives. For the freedom we have to gather together with friends and family, the opportunity to come together with our communities to worship on Sunday mornings, and the love and hope we feel when we stop to listen to Him.

While we cannot change the past or undo the sacrifices that were made, we can choose what we do with the present to show our gratitude. We can remember with respect and live with kindness, compassion and purpose.

Lest we forget.