A Little Dede Ditty

Marvel The Mustang     St-Eustache, Quebec late 1960’s .  I was the happiest little girl in the whole world the Christmas I got my Marvel The Mustang.  I was a pre-schooler but I remember it so vividly.  He was my best friend.  I told him all my secrets and I would feed him little dough balls that I would make by squishing up slices of white bread.  Thinking back, I   don’t know why I never got in trouble for this. It could be because I hid the evidence very well but I like to think it was because my mother understood the special bond we shared. On occasion at bedtime I even chose him instead of one of my stuffed animals to sleep with. Then one day I was walking home from school and from a distance I could see my oldest brother lifting Marvel into his van.  He was packing up to move to Ontario.  I started running but it was too late.  He never saw me.  I just stood there helpless, fighting back the tears as the red v...

Wake up! Wake up! Hear the sound Bullets fired all around So much pain And loss and grief Will there ever be relief? Brother, Sister Daughter, Son Mother, Father marching on Into battle The night is long But we will sing your victory song Our flag waves high The wreaths are laid The band will play for you this day We give thanks We bow our heads For the living and the dead To you the honour And praises be For Canada so strong and free You’ve stood on guard You’ve paid the debt A moment of silence Lest we forget Dede Nicholson November 9, 2014 Dedicated to Great Uncle Bill Holden