We learned about World War I in school, but it wasn’t until many years later in an English literature class at Simon Fraser University in 2001 that I learned the horrific details of the Great War and the reasons why it holds such an important place in history. Of course, as schoolchildren we’re spared the gruesome parts, and even 10 years after its release I can’t bring myself to watch the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan, but this was English class and it was required reading. One of the books on the list (the title of which escapes me right now) took place during World War I, and our discussions of the book were centred on the aspects of war and why the First World War was called the Great War.

A few things I took away from those discussions: trench warfare, the lack of technology, 20 million military deaths in four years. The sheer number of people who lost their lives is overwhelming — an average of more than 13,000 people each DAY, and that doesn’t include the civilian casualties. It would be the equivalent of burying the entire nation of Sri Lanka. It is no wonder that Armistice Day (”Remembrance Day” in Canada) is observed in many countries around the world. 90 years is literally a lifetime ago, but we mustn’t forget the consequences of escalated conflict and do everything to prevent it from happening again.

This medal was part of David’s belongings, but I don’t know where he got it from. On the inside of the battered jewellery case is a date, but I can only make out the year (1918), and the name of the jeweller in Jersey City, NJ. There are a few war-related items, such as photographs taken in the South Pacific during WWII (an estate sale of a war veteran–that part I do know), but this medal might’ve been acquired apart from the other items. The USA didn’t enter World War I until April 16, 1917, which explains why November 11 — a date commemorated in Canada and other Commonwealth countries with the wearing of poppies and the recitation of the poem written by a Canadian soldier, “In Flanders Fields” — is not a big deal south of the border. When I lived in Pennsylvania, it was a bit strange not to see poppies on lapels in November. I really felt like something was amiss.

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I think this was David’s kindergarten or Grade 1 photo, taken sometime in the early ’70s.

Apart from the obvious reasons, I really really wish David were alive to see today. He was a patriotic American who was frustrated with the policies of the Bush Administration. I accompanied David during the last federal election when he went to the polls on November 2, 2004. Of course, I couldn’t legally vote, but I was interested in seeing how it’s done in the States.

David was deeply disappointed with the outcome of the 2004 election, and wanted to move with me to Vancouver when Bush was elected for a second term. But David’s mother refused to leave Pennsylvania, so we decided we would live in PA as long as his mother was alive and move to Vancouver later. That later never happened.

David’s maternal grandmother, who died of cancer when he was 16*, was a political campaigner for the Democratic Party and was a major influence on David when he was growing up. (It’s his grandmother’s diamonds in our wedding rings.) He often told me stories about how his Orthodox Jewish grandmother bucked tradition by sitting with the men in temple to talk politics instead of sitting with the women, and how they couldn’t walk 20 paces in town because Rachel Schneider knew everyone and would stop and greet one and all. It was because of her that David was a proud Democrat.

In late 2005, David was impressed by Senator Obama from Illinois, and was of the opinion that Obama had the intellect and ability to lead the Democratic Party.

David, how I wish you were alive today to see how much American life has already changed in the nearly three years since you left us and how far Obama has come…

* I couldn’t help but feel sadness when I heard that Obama’s grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who helped raise him, died of cancer over the weekend — only a few days before this historic occasion. (His mother, Ann Dunham, also died of cancer, in 1995.) Madelyn Dunham voted early, and it was made official in the state of Hawaii that her vote for her grandson counted.

My niece, Miss Madeleine Jane, turned seven years old yesterday. Seven! Where does the time go?

As you can see in the photos above, Maddy has a very theatrical personality. She loves to dance and entertain by putting on little shows, and she’s not above a little drama when the situation calls for getting some attention in a family of five kids. If she goes into the performing arts in the future, I wouldn’t be at all surprised. She’s got the spirit for it. I wonder if being a middle child has anything to do with it? (I’m a middle child, too. Definitely not theatrical, though.)

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The weather for most of Sunday was an improvement over Saturday, as you can see by this cameraphone picture I took going over the Alex Fraser Bridge again while driving the kids to a family function in Vancouver. (I love taking photos of this bridge!)

At least a dozen of us descended upon Auntie Fely’s apartment in Kerrisdale, where I shot some hilarious pictures of the kids dancing and playing together… SIX kids in total, from the ages of two to nine doing a wild mix of Latin dancing (Melissa and Madeleine) to Maribeth’s interpretation of what looked like West African dancing. I’d show you the pictures now, but I just got home and have to wake up in less than 5 hours to make the ferry. I should’ve taken video!

Is there anything more exciting than a parachute launch? I think not! The twins (Megan and Maribeth, now four and a half years old), screaming with delight at catching their parachute after launching it through a miniature wind tunnel.

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This is going to be a quick entry as I’m due to take the kids out again today and I’m still unshowered and nearly an hour away, in Vancouver. We had such a great time yesterday that I had to post a few photos before I take another big batch today. I’ve designated this Family Weekend, as I haven’t seen the Ms since April and last weekend was devoted to the wedding and the Terry Fox Run.

We’ll have to make another brief stop at Telus World of Science today because something rather important dropped out of Melissa’s bag while we there. (The science centre was renamed when Telus took it over, but our favourite name for it is “The Big Ball of Science”, named by Michael when he was three or four and I would take Melissa and him there by Skytrain.)

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Wouldn’t it be great if July was ALL weekend? Somebody get on that.

It’s been an interesting few days to say the least, but I have another super-early morning so the stories will have to wait a while. I only snapped pics for about half of it (didn’t take out the camera once at the Saturday barbecue on the Sunshine Coast, believe it or not), but there are TONNES of good ones in this latest batch. The one above is my favourite, neck-and-neck with others such as this one from the family barbecue the following day:

Life is rough here, all beaches and barbecues and sunshine… I’m sure you feel sorry for me, right?

Although, earlier today (i.e., Sunday evening) I got into a shouting match with a passenger sitting beside me on the 257 Horseshoe Bay Express bus who was verbally harassing everyone including me, which led to the bus driver calling the West Vancouver police and the offender being duly ejected from the bus by an officer.

This is the FIRST TIME EVER in my 36 years that I have a) swore at a complete stranger! in public! and b) had a confrontation with anyone on public transit.

Huh. I guess I don’t take enough transit?

On Wednesday after work I took the ferry across the Jervis Inlet to spend the evening with my cousin and her boy, Parker, who will be two years old next month.

Next month? What? Good grief, I introduced his parents to each other 10 YEARS AGO? (It’s a good story. Have I told that story in this space?) Mind-boggling.

Remember Parker’s debut?

Mister Parker is talking up a storm now and loves his Thomas the Tank Engine. He’s at that delightful age where bathtime is pure frolic, bubbles are big entertainment, and having auntie chase you around the house is squealing good fun.

More photos of The Boy:

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IMG_0331 by Cheryl J

(This is a day late, but I left my computer at the office while I was in North Vancouver yesterday… I didn’t forget!!)

The oldest of the five Ms turned NINE yesterday in Maine, where all the kids are spending part of their summer holidays. Wow, nine years old — it seemed like only last week when Melissa was a toddler, and yesterday when she turned five. And now… now she’s practically off to university.

Where does the time go?? *sniff*

May 31, 2008
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Here’s to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”

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I’ve processed and uploaded a batch of photos from Uncle Mat’s memorial service. (I’m about halfway through the ones I selected for upload, so if you check back later, there will likely be more.)

The photo album of the memorial can be viewed several ways:

1. as thumbnails
2. a slideshow
3. or in the Pictobrowser below. Just click on the picture to advance to the next one.

I gave out a bunch of my MOO Minicards to relatives and friends of my uncle over the weekend so they can view these photos. If that’s how you have arrived here and would like to have any or all of these photos, please email me and I’ll send you a URL where you can download the whole set in a zip file.