Sometimes change happens slowly and steadily, tiny step by tiny step, and we barely notice it. Things appear pretty much the same from one day to the next, as gradual change steadily unfolds around us. Sometimes however change is rapid and swift, sweeping through the known world, ripping it apart at the seams. Often though the cause of the seemingly rapid change was the convergence of many small pebbles. World War I changed our whole world 100 years ago, in ways we are still dealing with today, yet it’s beginning was the result of many small seeming inconsequential and unlinked events.
Change is all around us whether we notice it or not……converging into pivotal points in time within our lives, beyond which life never looks the same again. Finding ways to embrace the change can help us to move forwards into our unfolding lives despite the losses.
Click here for a fascinating article about the changes we are still feeling today
For the fact lovers the photo is taken in Princess Street Gardens in Edinburgh, and is part of ‘The Call 1914’, the Scottish American War Memorial. Paid for by American Scots to honour the bravery and losses of Scottish soldiers. It was designed by R Tait McKenzie, a Scottish Canadian who was teaching in the University of Pennsylvania. Written along its base is an extract from the poem ‘A Creed’, written by E A Mackintosh. He was a 23 year old ex-Oxford Classics student of Scottish descent who was killed in the 2nd battle of Cambrai in 1917.
” If it be life that waits, I shall live forever unconquered. If death I shall die at last strong in my pride and free.”
Over 100,000 Scots died fighting in WWI, alongside 53,000 Americans and 60,000 Canadians…..to name just a few.
breathofgreenair 
Awesome words.
Thank you Fi
I had similar thoughts when visiting the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC. You too can visit it at … http://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm. As Edwin Starr (and the Temptations) sang, all those years ago: War … What’s it good for? … Absolutely nothing! D
So many memorials across the world for the fallen of the wars….
An interesting take on the idea of convergence.
Thanks Suzanne
In Sweden we have now had 200 years of peace – a gift greater than any. We should always be reminded of the sufferings during war – but I wonder what will make human beings stop fighting each other. I think nothing. When people can’t even stay friendly to their own neighbours or even to their wives or husbands…
But, hope shall never leave us – even if there are states/dictators and countries who willingly sacrifice their citizens to gain more power. Subs and airforce from our big neigbour in the east are visiting Swedish air and sea often, and the big little man is silently marching into countries that formerly belonged to his…
The article is very interesting and brings new facts to what I already knew. We tend to forget the diseases and other disasters that war brings.
Wow, 200 years of peace is wonderful…..if only the rest of us could follow Sweden’s example. Who knows what the future holds, but delighted to hear that you found some new facts in the article. She writes really well 🙂
Thank you so much for the reminder.
My pleasure
Beautiful, thoughtful memorial and some lovely words…
Thanks Sue
None of us can avoid change but most of us struggle with it.
That’s so true Gilly….we struggle, but can’t avoid it 🙂
Yes, Seonaid, this is an excellent War Memorial, to the people who fought for their countries. History can be sad and brutal, IF ONLY we would pay attention. Look at what we could learn simply from the fall of the Roman Empire. Sadly, history repeats itself. I truly would love it if people could figure out how to get a long with one another… to make life better for one another rather than fighting. There is much that needs to change in the world to make it a better place. I’m not convinced that is totally happening.
Thank you for your incredible words and artistry!
It’s a very powerful Memorial Gwynn, I can look at it for ages as it’s filled with so much detail. It stirs a sense of pride in fighting for freedom…..but some of the things we do with this hard won freedom are perhaps not so glorious! I agree that we never seem to learn…..or at least some of the people seem to never learn. Perhaps more women in positions of power would change the way we approach conflict?
Fabulous post Seonaid! The photo depicts your interpretation so well. Change is inexorable and we should embrace it with a positive attitude.
Thanks Sarah, it can be hard to embrace change which is filled with loss, but it’s the only way forwards really. It’s coming whether we like it or not!
A beautiful memorial, Seonaid, and a permanent reminder of the great sacrifices that were made during that dreadful war. Dr. MacMillan’s article is indeed fascinating, and the photos she shared are so moving.
The photos she shared are very intimate aren’t they, and she has written a very engaging piece. I learned lots, and it made me think about the way that past events carry their change forwards into the present…..and the ways that we justify the deaths of all these sons and daughters.
A parade of words and artistry. Awesome.
Thank you very much….a parade indeed. It’s a very moving memorial 🙂
I like the pipers…
Well I can only agree, I can never resist a man in a kilt 🙂
🙂 Aye!
You just know I appreciate you sharing this. Thanks, Seonaid. x
My pleasure Kellie, there are such strong links between these two countries….and so many Americans and Canadians with Scottish roots…..another convergence 🙂
Thank you for sharing the image of this war memorial. The article is fascintating. The number of dead is unbelievable. These comments from the article struck me: “American exceptionalism—that sense of being both different and better than the rest of the world—had also been reinforced. … The U.S. delegation came to the postwar peace conference with a contempt for old Europe and a sense of moral superiority”. Ugh. This American knows that too many Americans believe in this exceptionalism.
It’s a great article isn’t it, there were lots of things I didn’t know!
I agree that the numbers of dead are unbelievable, so large that it’s hard to picture, and then there are all the further deaths from the Spanish flu which followed.
Exceptionalism and superiority are nothing new in the world….and it has always lead to bad outcomes from what I can see….it’s the stuff that empires are built on I guess!
i am indeed a fact lover. Appreciate this post. Will look up this interesting piece next spring when we will visit Edinburgh. Thanks for sharing!
It’s a really beautiful and stirring sculpture, and it’s setting in the Gardens, in the shadow of castle rock is very powerful. I’m sure you will enjoy your trip here very much….there’s lots of wonderful history to soak up 🙂
What a wonderful post and a reminder to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. Beautiful. 🙂
Thanks Judy, I loved the Scottish American connection, and the beauty of American Scots thinking of their kin back home. So many things converging 🙂
A beautiful memorial, Seonaid. Thank you for your thoughtful words.
Thanks Marion, it’s incredible to realise the scale of change which followed all this loss of life…..right across the globe.
Your words are immensely strong and beautiful, with a message that reaches the core.
Hanne, another lovely comment, thank you. It’s hard to imagine what kind of world we might be living in had these men and women not fought for our freedoms….
Brave people. Thanks for the kind remembrance.
We must remember, so that we learn from our errors…..
They were incredibly brave, all of the soldiers who marched into this war.
Undoubtedly.