Women and the War

First, I need to apologize for flaking out on my last blog post. Things have been hectic for everyone on the Athena roster, but that's no excuse for not writing at all, so I hope you can forgive me for that temporary lapse in discipline.

So you're probably clued into the fact that today is a very significant day. It marks the end of World War I, 91 years ago, and is observed as a reminder of the millions of war casualties both from that war and from those that followed.

I'm no longer being shuffled into stuffy auditoriums to see high school students stage daddy-goes-to-war scenes, but it's impossible to get through November 11th without being reminded, in some way, of past and present sacrifices. The older I get, the more thoroughly I am able to understand and appreciate just what today means, and I do my best to express my gratitude. I've worn my poppy. I've written my grandfather a note to thank him for his service as a pilot in the Second World War. I've offered humble nods at the uniformed veterans on the bus and in the grocery store. I've watched TV coverage of the ceremony at Parliament. And I've decided that while war sucks, it has repeatedly set the stage for countless displays of heroism, bravery and humility. And that's why today matters so much.