25/04/2026
Lest we forget. 🌿
There's something about ANZAC day that makes everything slow down for a moment. The silence. The small moment of reflection. The thanks
And today, as I slowed, the tears started to fall. Tears for all those soldiers fallen. Tears for the few WW2 veterans and the Vietnam Vets that remain and that have to bear witness to what Australia is close to becoming. What they fought for it NOT to be.
My Pa lost his brother at the young age of 22 in WW2. They received a letter from the Army and then Pa said the family never really spoke of it again. It wasn’t as though there wasn’t grief for Albert’s loss, but more so a strong resolve to ‘continue on’, to live our his brother’s name with hard work, faith, love and kindness.
As my Pa aged into his 80s, we would speak lots of how the world had changed over his years, and some of it he didn’t like where it was heading. My Pa has been gone from this world for over ten years now and gosh, it would break my heart for him to watch the news now. The home invasions, the shootings, farmers being attacked on their own land, big corporation buy out, the government in disarray, the lack of connection, the disconnection to community and kin; and the stress – so much stress. Definitely not what the ANZACs fought for.
ANZAC day is a reminder to many, well it should be, that some things matter more than others. A reminder that when people join forces, the most phenomenal things can happen. When people live from their hearts, the world can change.
When our family would fall on tough times, Pa would always say ‘it’ll be ok Arnna’, and oh how I wish I could hear that from him now. Because right now people feel like life is a lot. A lot don’t feel safe for what the future will hold – on many aspects – from AI to war, to safety and wellbeing.
But, on the other side of the coin, when we look, when we focus, we can find the good. We can find the kids laughing whilst playing footy, or the one-year-old learning to walk. We can find the Nanna seeing her grandkids and the smile it brings to her face. We can feel the sun as it warms our skin. We can smell the beach air as the waves roll in. We can. We absolutely can connect with each other and nature – and that is where the majority of our positives experiences will lie.
Right now, via every means possible; on social media and the news, people are flooded with the negative view of the world. So, take a moment – this ANZAC day weekend to find the positives. Connect with others. Step into nature. Share an act of kindness. Tell someone they are safe and loved.
THAT is what the ANZACs fought for.