Sorry Dad

It seems only a few weeks ago that we were giving thanks to you and all the others like you, who risked their lives to save us from a great evil.  From those who wanted to rid the world of people they considered inferior because of their religious beliefs, the colour of their skin or any other quality that made them seem less than human.  Many of you gave your lives for this, others came home bearing scars.  Not all of them visible.

As a young man, you saw newsreel footage of Krystallnacht; the night of broken glass.  Attacks on Jewish people and their property. We never talked about it, but I know it was not long after, that you signed up.

And here we are again. More broken glass.  The language - and the target - may be different, but the sentiment is surely the same.  

It’s one thing to see it on tv - there’s a distance as we watch in our safe and cosy home.  It’s all happening elsewhere.  And we can turn it off, if it all gets a bit too much.  

But something Anniemay says, gives me a chill: “I’m worried about Varnika”. I haven’t said anything, but I am too.  How did we get to this point, Dad?

Much as I miss you, I’m glad you’re not here to see this.