VE-Day

VE-Day

Hi there.

Thanks for popping in. Glad to be here today. Glad I was born when I was; glad I was born where I was. If this pandemic has taught me anything, anything at all, it is that I have to think positive, be positive and act positive. Think gratitude, do gratitude. Guard against negative people with negative ideas and MAKE A CREATIVE PLAN.

At the same time however, I feel a real need to take stock of what VE Day means. Victory in Europe. But Victory for the World?

Today, 75 years ago, the Nazis surrendered, and World War II in Europe was officially declared over. Thank God for that. But a reason to celebrate? Not in my heart. Such terrible loss of life, such suffering, such carnage. Time to reflect perhaps.

But there’s no such thing as a winnable war, is there? And if I’m not mistaken, the Americans hadn’t dropped the Atom Bomb on Hiroshima at that point in time, hadn’t wiped out a city and instantly killed another 80,000 people at that stage. Nor had they followed up with another bomb on Nagasaki, murdering another 40,000 people. And that doesn’t include the radiation fallout over ensuing decades. So over, not over.

The harrowing reality of it for me is that was 75 years ago. Not long at all. Staggering what man is capable of doing to his fellow man, isn’t it.

So yes. I stay in my little house on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, I try to stay upbeat and keep smiling, because crying won’t solve anything. I shall take each day as it comes, I shall do my best daily – and I shall pray that another nutter on a throne doesn’t decide to press the red button any time soon.

Serious today? Yes I am.

Love and Hugs

Barb xxx

16 thoughts on “VE-Day

  1. Well said Barb!
    I’m not shamed to admit to having a cry during the 2 minute silence this morning, for those brave, brave people who went to war, or who battled at home in other dangerous ways, knowing fine well the likelihood of them coming home alive, never mind safe and well, was so slim. And the way their sacrificed lives have been squandered by so many, not only in destruction of each other, nastiness to each other, but also in the destruction of our beautiful planet Earth.

    This pandemic we are going through is nothing compared to war, be that the world wars, or more recent ones like Syria. I just hope with every ounce of me that this pandemic is the wake up call that so many individuals, and countries, around the planet needed!

    It’s unimaginable to think and try to feel what it must have been like, nd what it still is like to be trying to survive through a war, or worse still being forced to fight one. And I do, often, put myself in their shoes. It’ something I have done for many years, and not just wars. It sure makes you grateful for being alive and for what you do have, no matter how little of a life that is in my case.

    Like you, I am trying to get up as normal each day, stick to my routines, healthy eating, and exercise, and find things in my day to make me smile, feel good feelings about, or sometimes even laugh about. And anything negative I come across, if I feel the anger, upsetness, frustration coming out, instead I try to laugh them away and focus on what is important, which is so not them and the rubbish they spout forth… This week I’ve even managed a wee bit craft which is a huge step, forward for me. And as for my extreme loneliness and isolation, I’m just having conversations with myself and with the telly instead…

    Hope you can keep positive Barb, and that you can continue to feel positive, even if at first it is only fake it to make it. Love you xxx
    Spring brings hope and new life

  2. My uncle Jim was captured by the Japanese and spent time in a POW camp before it was liberated. He was very fortunate to have survived it. Pete’s grandfather served in both wars too.

    It’s a day of reflection for us too and of prayers for peace the world over. My son’s work is the resettlement of refugees from war torn Siria and he cares very deeply too, that our world’s leaders will have wisdom enough to seek peace.

    So today I shall be making some art work and meditating on all these things and being thankful for all the sacrifices made by so many men and women xx

  3. I agree that to today isn’t a day for celebration, but one for commermation and reflection.
    Earlier this week my son took photos of the remembrance plaques in the church, and went to the cenotaph in the local park. He then posted those photos on the church page, along with a couple of reflections. There were lots of people in our community who lost loved ones, and lived with horrific injuries. I am fortunate to have had some of those peoples stories shared with me, and I am thankful that I haven’t had to face anything like that.
    I have spent today making hanging to commermate today, and have been thinking about all the loss, then and now.

  4. It is a day for reflection. I put up doodled bunting in the front window, making each pennant different with peace, remember, and thanks backgrounds, V,E,D, A, Y, ! all filled differently. I even had birds over cliffs in one. We need to remember the fallen and those who celebrated with relief on the day 75 years ago. I hope the publicity helps those who were there. Thank you, Barbara, for my bunting skills and the peace in making it!

  5. I agree with the reflecting on the utter madness and waste of human souls, I am not so optimistic about man not repeating the madness, but one can hope.
    On a lighter note, the colouring is great and I agree, having for the first time used oil on the pencils, that it makes such a big difference. However, I did find it smoothed so well it left it looking lifeless, so I am starting to go over it again with the pencils to put some texture back in. Also I did have to go over my tree and leaf edges again because I had gone too close to the edges with the oil to much. I think if using the oil, I would like to have done the background first in hindsight, I may try that next time, just to see. Although that really needs much more planning of my project. But this is tutorial has been so informative. Thank you Barb.
    love Sue

  6. I do think that VE day was celebrating an end to the fighting and a hope that WW2 would be the last. We are an ex forces family and lucky in that neither of use was active service, though we came close. I found the 2 minutes silence very moving today. We visited Nagasaki last year and the museum there is a sobering reminder of what we as a race have been capable of. The replica bomb was about the size of a wardrobe, I dread to think about the size and power of what may have been created since then. I do hope that we have learned from past and people like my grandfather’s experiences.

  7. Born in 1900 my dad had already seen what WW1 had been like and in 1917 stowed away on a British ship to escape the revolution in Russia. He later became a British citizen and was in the merchant navy when his ship became part of the WW11 evacuation of British soldiers at Dunkirk. He said he never wanted to live through another war.

    With all my heart I hope this VE commemoration together with the current crisis makes people more considerate, more caring of others.

    I would rather be in lockdown for another three months, or even six months, than have restrictions relaxed too soon. We both dread an upsurge in the spread of the pandemic if some people take things too far. Yes it is frustrating, it is affecting business and the economy badly, but what cost if more lives are lost.

    We are staying upbeat as much as possible, crafting and de-cluttering like crazy. Having phoned around to check my friends are all OK, (long calls !!) I am dreading the phone bill but it is so nice to know they are being cared for and are staying well.

    I have finally twigged what I was doing wrong when trying to download the SHAC project and succeeded with no. 4. Clarity is keeping us sane and happy.

    Keep well everyone 🍒🍒🍒

  8. I was close to tears when we had the 2 minute silence this morning. My Mum had a breakdown in the war and suffered most of her life with the after effects, my Dad was in Burma for 4 and a half years in the army, so never saw my sister for all that time she was 9 months old when he left. They were bombed out in Bristol 3 times, but they got through it all. My uncle, Mum’s brother was at Dunkirk and was shell shocked in the D Day landings. So many people have horendous stories to tell I know. I was lucky my Dad came home or I wouldn’t be here, but it hit me this morning how much they went through. I pray to God there wont be another war and to keep our children and grandchildren safe. Thank you so much for the time and thought you give to others Barbara. Stay safe, love Pam xxx

  9. My family was a lucky family in both World Wars. The men all went to do their duty, but despite being in the thick of it, they all came back. My grandmother had three sons, one in the army, one on the air force and one in the navy, and all three came home safe and sound. I actually bought one of the Tower of London poppies to say thank you for that. In some strange way, I feel that today’s more restrained remembrance is more poignant than if we had had huge processions. I have personally found it very emotional. All those who fought, or did the jobs of the men at home and abroad deserve our heartfelt thanks, and to be remembered always. Our present enemy has brought out the best in so many all around our country. They too will be remembered. xxx Maggie (Silvercrafter)

    1. That did it. Just been watching the remembrance from Buckingham Palace and totally incapable of singing a single note. Tears pouring down my face. I am so glad I did not join the neighbours outside and I could get emotional on my own. xxx Maggie (Silvercrafter)

  10. You are right Barbara that war is not to be glorified and it is right that we remember all those who gave their lives and fought for us to remain free. I think unfortunately we will always have to fight to retain our rights and freedoms because there will always be those who will want to take those away from us. Take care. x

  11. We are very fortunate and owe much to those who died, many of them so young too. Your words are spot on lovely lady. My heartfelt thanks to all those who have served to keep us safe and I pray that we never see a war like that again xx

  12. Hello Barb, war is not a cause for celebration or glorification, but a time for coming together as a nation , as communities as much as is allowed at present to say prayers of thanks for those that kept our nation and families past and present safe. Take care all. Bx

  13. Totally agree Barbara, didn’t want to celebrate.
    I am looking for the PDF on colouring leaves is it up on the website of here?
    T hanks!

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