As I stood there watching the sun slowly cast its warmth on the statue of the armed soldier and feeling the silent prayers surround me it was easy to be moved back to a time when our world was quite simply about life and death;  When a mother’s wish for her son extended well beyond the best education, an acceptable  circle of friends and prosperous lifestyle, when the deepest desire of a mother was that her son return home to her alive.

ANZAC DAY Dawn Service - Blackwood SA

There were hundreds there, many children with their parents carrying forward an important tradition for our nation.  I have made the walk each year now since my son was born, sometimes with him and sometimes without, it is something that I hope we can share for many years to come. 

As a mother of a son my heart beats on this day for all the mothers who gave and lost.

With love and gratitude

Helen