Mather Arch - Fort Erie, ON

On a bright Sunday afternoon in November, I stood in an audience not to applaud a marvellous musical or theatrical performance, but rather to participate in a mass acknowledgement of feats much more revered. I must admit that I hadn't taken part in a Remembrance Day ceremony in several years, but I was just glad to be doing it in 2011, and even more proud that I brought my two young boys along with me. They stood beside me, at times with arms wrapped calmly around my legs, for a long enough period that I supposed they must have absorbed at least some of the emotion and solemn gratitude that was shared by the attending community.

As a mother who frequently runs around, both with and after, these two terrific, busy boys, I held a great appreciation for the young man in my photo who displayed great discipline and patience and maturity in his service that day. Of course this was my perception. As I'm writing this, I am thinking that perhaps he wouldn't consider it that way at all. Perhaps he would tell me that it didn't take a shred of effort on his part and that he is extremely proud to have been given the opportunity to stand there at all.

Either way, he played a poignant part in the ceremony and unwittingly provided me with one of my favourite images from the afternoon that I spent appreciating my freedom.... I mean, even the simple act of being able to drive to Fort Erie and walk across the grass and stand there in witness of this celebration of honour and remembrance is an example of why we need to attend such events, and being there made me feel incredibly proud to be Canadian.