11.11.2008

no man's land


Today is November 11, Veteran’s Day here in America. Collectively, we pause for a moment (usually when we realize there is no mail service today) and remember the various veterans of wars our country has taken part in. Commonly, we consider the Vietnam War and the ongoing Iraq War – those safely within living memory.

But in other parts of the world, this is Armistice Day, the marking of the end of World War I. British wear red paper poppies on their chests for weeks before November 11, in remembrance of the 60 million European soldiers who fought in The Great War.

In one of my many running playlists, I have a special song that reminds me of kindness and brotherhood that sparked one night on the battlefields during Christmas, 1914. The song is All Together Now by a 1990s Liverpool band called The Farm.

The song itself is a historical account of a temporary, trenches-decision ceasefire between British and German soldiers fighting in Belgium. In the cold, miserable night, the Germans decorated a small tree to celebrate a nationally beloved holiday. The British eventually joined in and the two forces met in “no man’s land,” the flat border separating the two camps.

They laughed, joked, sang carols together and generally agreed to abandon their weapons for just one night in what I believe to be one of the most touching gestures of peace in modern history.

Here are some of the lyrics of All Together Now:

December 1914 cold, clear and bright
Countries' borders were right out of
sight
When they joined together and decided not to fight

All together now
All together now
All together now, in no man's
land

The boys had their say and they said no
Stop the slaughter
let's go home, let's go, let's go, let’s go, let’s go home.

OK, that last part always makes me sing out loud – partly because the song always seems to appear when I’m on a long run, homeward bound, and more than ready to finish, and partly because it’s catchy and fun to sing. Any family members who happen to be running with me laugh, or sing along.

I’d like to think that the no man’s land party was just one example of kindness shared and hatred forgotten that we absolutely need in order to have a nourishing, sustaining society. In no way can we add up all the moments of kindness during a war so that they will outnumber the moments of bloodshed and evil, but it’s nice to know that they existed, if even for just a fleeting moment.

Intellectually, I know that these soldiers finished their party, went back to their trenches, slept a bit, and the next day picked up their guns and continued to fight. It was probably a very difficult thing to do.

But being kind isn't nearly as difficult as we make it out to be. Maybe if we all hold stories like this in our hearts, it will remind us to reach out and extend the hand of friendship when times get hard. Or maybe even just when we feel the impulse.

I can hope, can’t I?


Here’s more information about the WWI Christmas Truce of 1914.

11.05.2008

the sun of change


Wow. The world feels like a different place this morning. Already I have received phone calls and emails from excited friends who sound like they are in the dawn of a new day. They have very high hopes for a long and especially prosperous day under our new president-elect, Barack Obama. Or maybe they are just happy to have avoided “more of the same” for the next four years.

And what an awesome responsibility we have heaped at the feet of Mr. Obama. If ever we needed an “out of the box” perspective, it is today – well, actually it was yesterday…and last week…and last year.

I have to admit that I tricked my kids. Both of my sons have taken a varying interest in the election since they have talked about in our home and in their schools.

But I wanted to seal the deal. I wanted them to be able to say “I remember where I was when Barack Obama became president.”

A few days ago, I told them each I was sure that John McCain would be the victor on Tuesday. “Naw, Mom!” Kit said. “Obama will win! He won at our mock election at school.” (This from the little boy who “voted” for George Bush four years ago. “He seems like a nice guy,” was his conclusion. Not too far off from half the country’s reasoning at the time.)

“Nope. I don’t think so,” I answered in my most self-assured voice.

So I challenged each son to a bet. One dollar said Senator McCain would be our next president.

“You are SO going to owe us a dollar,” said Cameron. “How do you think you’ll spend your dollar, Cam?” asked Kit.

Bingo. They were hooked. My 15-year old didn’t need this shenanigan, but my 10-year old lapped it up like a kitten. I couldn’t peel them away from the television and laptop last night.

Cameron took the helm at the remote, switching between NBC and BBC America, whose coverage was hilarious, I might add. (It was a crack-up to see the American-born experts struggle to understand the various accents – and rather bizarre questioning -- of the presenters.)

The night before the election, we found a “Electoral College Quiz” online and took it together, missing all questions but one. I have to say we are all much smarter about the Constitutional process now.

I fell asleep before 9, not knowing who held which state’s votes. And then I dreamed that John McCain did indeed win the seat, and I offered my shoulder for tender-hearted teenagers to cry upon.

When I woke up and made my way downstairs this morning, my husband told me I was two dollars poorer today and my boys whooped and hollered and wanted their cash. I told them I’d have to make good later in the day. “I don’t usually carry that much cash on me,” I said.

And sadly enough, with the economy such as it is, that’s the truth.

Good morning all! Welcome to our NEW DAY. May the sun of change smile upon us all.