Story Telling as Remembering at our Christian School

Why do we gather around cenotaphs, have parades, and lay wreaths each year? Watch a very young child take in such an event and see them absorb the atmosphere of remembrance and you will find the answer. Long before they can understand the depth of loyalty and the pain of sacrifice, young children notice that something happened, that it was important, and that people are deeply connected to it as the tears and silence become tangible.  

Since most of our students have no personal experience of war, remembrance requires the telling of stories. COVID will keep most of the country from being able to participate in remembrance in live group settings. In lieu of those moments, my encouragement is for families to spend time with stories that help us to remember, even as we mark the 75^th anniversary of the of the end of WW1 this year. (Here is a link to one of my favorite story tellers marking Remembrance Day. Story begins at 21:30).  

As a Christian school, helping our students to grow in wisdom means teaching the value of remembrance and the cost of peace. They will live beyond us in a time we will not see and take with them what they know of the value of that peace. Remembrance Day reminds us that our world bears the scars of deep conflict, and yet is entirely loved by its creator as it rests in his care. All wars will cease – we know the end of the story!

We will remember.

Students will be observing Remembrance Day on Wednesday within their classroom. We have been supplied with many excellent options from Veterans Affairs and other branches of the federal government. We are grateful for the gift of technology which can link us to live events in Ottawa or other teach selected options.

We will remember.                                        

SJ