One more Army Run pic.

OK, I couldn't resist sharing this one too.  This was the oldest couple 

to ever run the Army Run (so far)! They both served in the 

second World War together.  For parts of the race, the 

gentleman was walking behind his chair, pushing it himself.  

Bless them, and all like them.

I really am racking out now ...

Some Army Run Photos

A few photos from the weekend.  It was an incredibly emotional weekend, and I am very tired.  I will give more photos and details soon.

These guys were right behind us at the finish line.  Why we run:

A beautiful day for it:

Army Run Weekend, and a quick look back

I am on my way to Ottawa to meet up with a bunch of my MilSpouse peeps, and to participate again in Canada's Army Run, Raising money for Soldier On and the Military Families Fund.  Unfortunately, on doctor's orders I am walking the 5K this year, not running, but I will be with good people, and its the cause that counts, not the time on the clock.  I will post when I am back and let you know how the weekend went!

I am glad to be spending this weekend with friends who understand, as the events of 3 years ago seem to be weighing heavy right now. It doesn't help that the Wolf is in the same province as I am, actually on a training course at the base where I have to pick up one of the girls I am car pooling with. Glad I will be distracted by good friends and good times.  My feelings are all over the place regarding him, and myself.

"My Immortal"

I'm so tired of being here

Suppressed by all my childish fears

And if you have to leave

I wish that you would just leave

'Cause your presence still lingers here

And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus:]

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears

When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

And I held your hand through all of these years

But you still have

All of me

You used to captivate me

By your resonating light

Now I'm bound by the life you left behind

Your face it haunts

My once pleasant dreams

Your voice it chased away

All the sanity in me

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus]

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone

But though you're still with me

I've been alone all along

[Chorus]

9/11 Porn?

A friend posted a comment/rant this morning on FaceBook regarding the coverage of 9/11 and basically how come other tragedies like the boxing day tsunami don't get the same kind of commemoration.

There is a LOT of shit going on in my life/world/brain right now (more later), so I have been mulling my response, and whether I post it publicly on her page, or send it to her in a private message.  It is still in draft form, and feels like it needs an ending, but here it is so far ... comments/arguments/suggestions welcome, as always.

I debated posting anything about 9/11.  I didn't want to offend anyone, trigger anyone, or indulge in war porn. 

But the day had a big impact on me, and on people I love.  I love a Canadian soldier.  Honestly, I love a few soldiers, and their families; but there is one soldier in particular who holds a large chunk of my heart, then and now, even though we are no longer together. On that day, anyone who had a connection to the military on either side of the border spent that day not only in horror for what had happened, but also with very real worries about what sort of impact it would have on their very own futures, both immediate and long term.  Many spent part of that day wondering where their loved one was, and how long it would be before they would be able to even hear a reassuring word, because bases and communications in Canada got locked down as well; never mind those with loved ones deployed at the time*.  It set in motion a chain of events that would forever change the lives of so many.  Most of my friends are not only remembering/commemorating the lives lost that day, but the many lives lost and changed since.
I avoided television and print media yesterday, because I did not want to see the war porn/terror porn that the media was bound to engage in.  I purposefully chose to fill yesterday with work that would keep me away from the computer, and surrounded by people who would not trigger memories for me.

I did post a few things on my FaceBook page, because it was what I needed to do, to acknowledge the memorial.  Just as I will post again during Veteran's Week, on Peacekeeper's Day, and on other days that are significant to me.

*Sebastian was deployed at the time to a country not overly friendly to Canadians, and he has told me stories of what it was like to be there, inside a very small compound, working to upgrade and reinforce the barricades while the locals drove by waving guns and hurling taunts; getting limited updates about what was happening in North America; and tensions hair trigger. 

Roger Ames "Amazing Grace/Kyrie"

Spockgirl's words this morning made me thing of this one, which I have had the honour of performing multiple times:

Choral Reflection on Amazing Grace

Text Author : John Newton
Arranger : Roger Ames

A serious choral work, dedicated to the children of the victims of 9/11. After the second stanza, a chorale-like Kyrie eleison section is introduced and is then juxtaposed with the tune on stanza 3, sung by the mezzo-soprano soloist. The work continues to develop in skillful ways that crescendo through ff alleluias, eventually diminishing to a pp “Was lost, but now I’m found.” Serious concert material.

Never Forgotten.