(While the photo above is from google, both photos below are from my 2016 trip to Europe. One of the places I visited was The Vimy Ridge Memorial in France)
The ship of imagination takes me to places near and far, that my heart desires. The ship knows, by the pounding in my chest or the ringing in my ears what I need in any given moment.
By my sense of adventure, and my adrenaline pumping in my veins the ship of imagination takes me to the battlefields of France. In the spring of 1917, Canada, a new country, fought within the ranks of the British Empire against the imperialist powers of Europe. On this day a group of men founded the legacy of a nation, born out of the fires and carnage of a successful battle.
I am a soldier. The warm blood pumping through my veins. My palms sweat around the rifle as I advance through the tunnels and trenches to the front line. I see the sleeping giant of my enemy upon the ridge. My sense of duty prevails over fear and I know that it is up to me and my generation to take back the ridge.
Thinking back to my family… I don't want to be called a coward; however, I'm frightened. Scared that I'll never have my mom's home cooking again. That I will die with the taste of stale beans and horse meat on my breath, rather than moms hardy roast beef with gravy. My mouth waters for something other than the cheap rum that I was given as liquid courage.
What if I never see my girl again? Her beautiful blond hair, that blows in the wind as we walk home from church after Sunday mass. I'm so young, barely eighteen, there must be a future for us.
My sense of adrenaline brought me here; but it is my desire to go home which makes me fight. My desire to see my mom, hug my girl, smoke something other than rations; I must get home. I have a job to do. As much as it scares me, I’m called to defend my freedom.
The ship of imagination takes me where I need to go. Today it was Vimy Ridge to make history on the western front; to build a legacy for Canada. My imagination allowed me to examine: the battlefield of France, the experience of the life of a soldier and the heartbreaking disruption of family ties.
Where will the ship take me tomorrow? Closing my eyes and clearing my cluttered mind, I can go anywhere.
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