Not including weddings, christenings and funerals, I only go to church once a year. Today was that day. I have an over riding need to show my gratitude to those that gave their lives so that I might live mine in relative peace.
Is it just me? Ever since I had Little Fink I have become overly emotional at certain stimuli.
Rousing music (Albert Hall New Year Concert - the timpani drum started playing the theme from 2001 a Space Oddysey and I was toast - blubbing), Rugby players singing the National Anthem (the recent World Cup had me in tears every time), ordinary people talking about emotive subjects, I hear that barely audible 'wobble' in the voice and I'm history.
The thing that set me off today was, an old soldier laid a wreath on the memorial, took a step back, bowed gently, then as he straightened up, he threw his elderly shoulders back with pride, stood to attention and saluted all his comrades, known and unknown. The way he held himself infront of that memorial, the pride and strength in that simple gesture made me cry, it's making me cry just thinking of it now. Later in the service he read out the names of all the local people who died in WWI, WWII and the Falklands, this again made the tears fall.
On a happier note, earlier on in the day when Little Fink had gone to meet up with the Cubs to parade into the church, I met up with 2 of my best friends, one of which came to Scout Camp this year (where she made her name as an expert biscuit-procurer, remind me to show you the video of her Biscuit Stealing Dance sometime) She and I were sitting together in church which is a dangerous place to be because I only have to look at her and I collapse in fits of giggles. I blame my other friend for not supervising us properly. Anyway, as the vicar got to the bit about, "Blessed are the meek, blessed are the peacemakers" I started to shake with suppressed laughter and dare not look round at Mrs Biscuit for fear she would launch into a Monty Python tribute and get us both thrown out.
The other highlight was Little Fink, she recited the Lord's Prayer beautifully (she knows the 'old' version from her time in a Catholic Scout group - they don't teach it at her school - terrible) and at the end, she dutifully crossed herself in the Catholic fashion, bless her, she was the only one, we were in a C of E church!
