Sara Hardy Writes

Anzac Day (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). A day of Remembrance to honour those valiant people who served in uniform. It feels especially important (given our own travails) to remember their sacrifices, difficulties, courage and fear. Their battles were with bombs and bullets. At 6 a.m. the nation will commemorate the day from home, standing at the front gate, or on the balcony or at the window: a communion of thought, followed by the sound of the Last Post - on the radio/TV, or perhaps it will come drifting across the rooftops played on trombone, trumpet or flute by some able musician. I'm going to take a moment to remember my English paternal grandfather, Corporal Edwin Percy Hardy, 1882-1941. He served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, 6th Field, Ambulance. Warrant Officer Class 2. He served in WW1. Here's the only photo I have of him during that time, he is the tall balding man with his back to us, centre right, somewhere in France: In his wallet he carried a...

I saw this plant pushing through the tarmac and cement nestled against a shop wall catching the early morning sun. It's not a weed, it's a Plain Tree seedling!  Such determination! Where there's life ...

  In moments of stress it is calming to simply focus on one's breathing, close your eyes and focus on the air coming into your lungs, going out of your lungs. Count as you do so and gradually make each breath last a little longer. In two three four, out two three four five ... In two three four five six, out .... Only that, just that, even for a minute, will help.   We managed a weekend away just before the mayhem broke and here's a pic. It's the view from Glen Cottage, Aireys Inlet, Victoria, Australia. Horses safely graze, and if you peer into the mid distance you may spot a mob of kangaroos, also enjoying the grass. Cockatoos are screeching, magpies are warbling, and occasionally a horse snorts. Imagine that. Let's try and think of lovely things as we take a moment away from the madness.  ... Inhale, Exhale .... repeat ...