This runner ran and remembered...

[Oldfloss]

It has been so long since I posted a Floss ramble... I have,sadly, almost forgotten how to write.

So much going on with my life at the moment and I am very aware of how much I am neglecting many, many of my friends. I apologise for that x

I ran this run this morning. A Virtual Charity Remembrance Run. I know that a lot of friends on the forum have run them too, over this weekend. It was just 5K.

Last year I ran in glorious sunshine, today, it was windy and I ran in torrential rain. I ended up soaking wet and tired... of that I was glad. My head was filled with so many thoughts,, all mixed and muddled.. I had to get them down.

A Runner Remembers,

*

I ran and remembered the Fallen

Feet kept pace with the passing of years

Since those souls left the shores of their homeland

Set afloat by a family's tears.

*

And despite rain and wind, I breathe easy

The air in my lungs, cold and clear

Not the thick choking, dark cloud of horror

That those souls gasped for, sickened with fear.

*

I'm running on paths, in a place that I love

My body moves gently and slow.

Not with tired leaden steps, through life-sucking mud

As on, wearily,blindly They go.

*

I thought of my own dearest father

A man with great love in his heart

Who healed many a broken, dashed body

A young life and soul torn apart.

*

No matter our creed or our culture

No matter the land of our birth

How, as runners we run, not alone, but as one

A light on this dark troubled earth.

*

I ran and remembered the Fallen

Thoughts wondering, as running time passed

Why all manner of wars, still are raging,

Yet each one... is never the last.

Floss x

[David_G]

Beautiful post Floss, thank you 😢

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to David_G]

xx

[Imoslow]

That’s lovely. Thank you .

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Imoslow]

xx

[LiisaM]

Ah, it is Veteran's Day here today--perfect poem! But as to running? Not perfect! About 5 inches of snow in Michigan so far and still coming down. I will not be running today.... : (

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LiisaM]

Oh my... stay warm ! xx

[Tbae]

Such emotion Floss.🙏✨💫

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Tbae]

xx

[Coddfish Graduate10]

That’s lovelyFloss. Thank you.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

xx

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Beautiful Oldfloss, sounds like quite an emotional run for you. Xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

It was. So much in my mind currently..xx

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

You take care of yourself please. You are an important person. Sometimes we are so busy looking after and out for others we neglect ourselves. X

[theoldfellow]

You almost forgot to write? Seems to me you remember fine.

In my church we say 'Memory Eternal' for those who have passed from our sight. We believe that as long as God remembers us we are not gone. We may forget for a time, but God will not.

Don't forget to run...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to theoldfellow]

Thank you for those words xx

[scotinexile]

That was perfect, Floss. We went to our local village remembrance service yesterday, and that and your words have brought my lovely grandad back to my thoughts. Many thanks.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to scotinexile]

I am glad..my father is always with me..but today..especially so xx

[51mc Graduate10]

A beautiful post, Oldfloss, overflowing with feeling! Thank you.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to 51mc]

Xx

[Cantstopmenow Graduate10]

Beautiful thoughts and so eloquently expressed 🥀 x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Xx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

That’s lovely Floss. ❤️❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Xx

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Very thoughtful Floss. I thought about my late father yesterday. A kid in his teens aboard warships on Arctic Convoys, the Mediterranean and in the Far East. Some school kids asked if he was ever frightened. His answer? We were all in it together so no time to worry about yourself. And there were thousands like him, those who fell and those like him who were shaped by their experience. Thanks for remembering them all. 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

So interesting..I have trouble imaging how it felt for those who went through and are still going through battles....I studied the War Poets when I did A Level..and their words haunted my dreams. When I ran this morning, I felt a huge presence beside me. It was certainly very special. Xx

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

We may have done the same syllabus. I can still summon up bits of First WW poems.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

You never fail to bring a tear to my eyes with your beautiful poems Oldfloss. Beautiful. And you certainly haven’t forgotten how to write. 😢

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I'm sorry..just my silly muddled head this morning..it all got churned up..and I did manage to get some words out xx

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Don’t be sorry - keep on running and writing when you can. 😘

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Xx

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Beautiful post Oldfloss 🤗🤗

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Xx

[roseabi]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Xx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Beautiful Floss, so evocative. Don’t ever feel as though you are neglecting your friends. You are in our thoughts and that will do for now xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Thank you...that means a great deal to me. Xx

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

😢❤️ Just beautiful. 😢 Thank you for sharing, lovely Oldfloss.x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Xx So many runs since we began xx

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Lovely prose from you Floss, very suitable for today, I have just listened to a performance by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins of his war and piece composition The Armed Man, a piece of music suitable for today.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Xx

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Beautiful 💕💕💕

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

Xx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

What a moving, heartfelt poem Floss 🥀

A chance to run and hopefully unmuddle those thoughts a little...

Remember you run with all of us, and you are always in our minds. xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

It did un-muddle me a tad ...and you, my friend are always there beside me...thank you xxx

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Thanks for that Floss - beautiful........❤

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Xx

[davelinks Graduate10]

That's nice floss

Thank you.. 😉

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to davelinks]

Did you run one this year? It was you who introduced the Virtual runs to me?

Xx

[davelinks Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

No, not this year, although still been thinking a lot about family members lost.. 😔

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Floss, that’s beautiful, thank you for sharing, reading it was time for reflection of how lucky we are to be able to run free

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

So true... so very true xx

[aliboo70 Graduate10]

Just perfect Floss💗💗xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to aliboo70]

xx Hugs to you Ali, xx

[aliboo70 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Hugs back lovely lady((())) xxx

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Gorgeous Floss, I can almost see the words flowing out of your wake as you run along. I hope it helped. Look after yourself and let yourself be looked after 🤗x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

It did... strange times my friend...I will do as you suggest xx

[SuzyKK]

Thank you xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SuzyKK]

Most welcome, good to share our running thoughts... xx

[Runningroni Graduate10]

All of the above and then some. Truly lovely. Thank you. X

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Runningroni]

Just my muddled thoughts xx

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

So beautiful Floss, so beautiful xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Like your wonderful photographs of those glorious trees..I will catch up on posts..I will. .. xxx

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

Beautiful Floss xx

💕💕💕 I don't know if it's an ageing thing or what but each year the 11th becomes more and more painful. So many lives lost and torn asunder.

My great uncle Joe was just 17 when he was shipped off to Sicily after the briefest of basic training, so fast that his father who had chased after him and his 2 brothers who'd all run off to sign up together, couldn't get to him in time. Joe lasted just 9 days on the beaches of Sicily and his war grave is beautifully tended there but shows his lied age of 19.

Having been through and survived WW1 with his own brother, Joe's father; Wesley didn't want his boys to suffer as he had nor did he want his wife to lose her boys. He'd managed to bring George and Jim home but Joe was already on the water on his way to what he had believed would be a great adventure. 💔

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Goodness..that is so tragic.. and I do agree..things seem to have greater meaning..as we age..

My own grandad was in northern France and J and I were the first from the family to visit his grave. I took a laminated photo of my Nan..and mum and her sister and their husbands. He died when Mum was one and my Aunt was three..

I just wish if we remember..that we can learn from past mistakes..but..sadly...it seems not to happen..

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I think that's the hardest part. Less and less remain who really know and the so many seem to forget. Those who question why we even bother with our "rituals" as I've heard Remembrance Day described are a sign of the future 💔

[Getfitok]

That’s lovely, you brought a tear to my eye x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Getfitok]

Xx

[alisonx Graduate10]

Beautiful...thank you Floss x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to alisonx]

Xx

[Hidden]

That's beautiful and left me feeling emotional x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Xx

[CandyCool Graduate10]

That was so lovely and I’m now a weeping wreak! My Hubble has just walked in and said ‘what’s up’ I said I’m reading the running blog...needless to say he thinks this running lark is addling my senses!! Thank you Oldfloss you are a true artist x 😢🙄🤩💕

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CandyCool]

Oh goodness... I so not mean to upset folk. I just run and I have all these thoughts go around my head...I then ramble about them...

We are addled, but gosh..in the best way, and all of us together... xx

[CandyCool Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

You are just amazing x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CandyCool]

No..just a runner.. like you..but since you mention it... we are all pretty awesome

[Granspeed Graduate10]

💕💕🏃🏼‍♀️💕💕

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Granspeed]

xx

[Irish-John Graduate10]

Well done OF.

A fittingly poignant tribute.

Well done.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irish-John]

xx Strange times my friend... xx

[Irish-John Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

The world is never at rest Floss, nor we in it as often as we'd like to be - sometimes it's enough to just get through another day. Sooner or later, the tide turns and the Sun rises again however. One day at a time - slow and steady, right? ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irish-John]

Completely correct.. currently it is what is getting me through xx

[Irish-John Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

And let your friends walk (or run 😉) with you through the bad patches

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irish-John]

Oh yes...xx

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

💕

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

I didn’t run... I spent most of the day thinking of my Granddad who may have been fairly unique in his service history. He was arrested in South Wales at one point accused of being a nazi parachutist... despite having a 3 ton truck with him, because of his strange accent... he was from Barnsley 🤣. I guess they were times for more than the average amount of paranoia.

Later he was captured in North Africa and taken to Italy, which he hated, and then to Germany, where he actually had a decent time of it. He was caught twice breaking IN to the prison camp that he was being held at... once when he’d gone to bring his escaping mate back (the guy spoke no German at all and was not going to survive out there) and once with a load of potatoes he’d gone to get from the piles covered in mud on the adjacent farm... the whole camp ate well that night! To the day he died, he’d never have a bad word spoken in his presence about the Germans and my one regret was not taking him over to Mainz when I worked there... He took ill a few months after I started work there... while in a confused state for a couple of years he was always asking about my life out there when I saw him, before going back to rounding up imaginary sheep.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

💕 wonderful tales about what sounds like a wonderful man 💕👍🏻

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Yep... and I know where my weird gene came from too 🤣

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Weird genes are the best 👍🏻🤣

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Ain't they just..I love being loopy!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

So many stories..my Father's brother went straight back to Germany after the war..and changed his name to a German one.

My father was a man of peace..and treated all his patients during those years..whoever they were and whatever their country.. with the same care xx

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Wow... that was no doubt unusual, especially with the change of name too. The medical teams just do their job I guess... maybe if we ever get near to conflict on that scale again the politicians should talk to the doctors and nurses... that should avoid it.

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Oh if only....