Whilst shopping for the weekly shop in our local supermarket I noticed a collecting box for ‘The Poppy Appeal and so headed over to buy one. Whilst pinning it carefully to my lapel, I overheard a couple of mum’s discussing Armistice day and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. As an avid supporter of this day of recognition, I shamelessly listened in.
I was pleased to hear that even though their children were only 5 they would be letting them wear a poppy to school (despite the risks of a pin ...but that’s another issue) However, I was shocked when she ended the sentence with ‘......because I wouldn’t want her to feel left out.’
Surely wearing a poppy is about acknowledging our debt to those who have fought for our freedom and lost their lives - not about fitting in.
Even at five, I want my daughter to have some understanding of why people wear this little red flower. I don’t want to shatter her illusions of a happy safe world but I want her to realise that some people worked very hard for it to be so. And yes – some people gave and still give their lives!
This is not about having a morbid conversation that will frighten her but about acknowledging that she is growing up in a world where wars happen and people fight for what they believe is right.
No, I wont dwell on the deaths – after all she is 5 - but I will make an effort to impart some idea of the solemnity of Armistice day and the pride with which we all should wear our poppies.
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