Many of us know the story.
In May 1940 hundreds of thousands of Allied troops, stood shoulder to shoulder in the water waiting for hours, stranded in Dunkirk - were rescued by a ramshackled fleet of fishing boats, life boats, yachts and other civilian boats from Britain.
The detail of this story that RAF Grandad told, had my boys mesmerized. But, on the birthday of Captain (now Colonel) Tom's 100th, it got me thinking too.
As many of us battle the boredom of the indefinite Coronavirus lockdown, we find ourselves reaching for a glass of 'something something' (medicinal purposes only of course) But as well as finding the odd crusty necked bottle of Cinzano from Christmas 1991, behind the 7 or 8 bottles of partially drunk 'happenin' versions of Gin (from Christmas 2019) - there's another spirit we've found. "Dunkirk Spirit".
The Cambridge Dictionary gives 'Dunkirk Spirit' the definition as "Willingness by a group of people who are in a bad situation to all help each other".
And I'd like to think we've all contributed to a bit of this lately.
Adapting to lockdown has been tricky. We've laughed, we've cried, we've nearly thrown our lap tops (or children) out the window, and we've cleared out the biscuit tin.
We can't all be key workers, but we've certainly done our bit. Looked after our families, left toilet rolls on the neighbour's doorstep or shared our last bag of flour. Which leads me (sort of) on to Friday.
Friday 8th May will mark 75 years since V E Day. There might not be street parties, parades or concerts this year, but that's not going to stop (most of) us positive, uniquely resilient and good humoured Brits!
That's the (Dunkirk) spirit!
One of the best things about V E Day being this Friday, is the kids can spend the week making decorations to mark the event. That's right - bunting, paper chains, posters and flags. Get the craft stuff out and get them decorating inside and out. I hope it doesn't rain.....soggy sugar paper just won't do.
In my house, P.E has seen a welcome change from Joe Wicks this week, as we all prance around the living room following an online Lindy Hop dance class.
Yes. You can imagine us.
This Thursday's video call lesson is quite fittingly on V E Day. RAF Grandad's been learning Zoom, because a couple of my eldest son's class mates fancy joining in this time. Should be interesting. During our Zoom practise his speech got slower, louder and more Queen's English as he got more and more frustrated that he was getting no response. He didn't have his microphone switched on.
Like many others this Friday we are partaking in a 'Stay at Home V E Day Street Party'. Which brings me back to my flour comment earlier.
Afternoon Tea is order of the day. And as we embrace the 'Dunkirk Spirit' my local friends and I are making a light bite or sweet treat each, boxing them up and leaving them on each others door steps. Thus creating quite a delectable Afternoon Tea to rival the Ritz (wishful thinking).
I think it even calls for Aunty Marilyn's tiered cake stand and Brambly Hedge cup and saucers she gave me. I might even get my doilies out.
Oh yes, I've got doilies. I bought them a few years ago at Christmas time, to make little angels with my 'little angels'. But with a December full of Christmas shopping, Christmas cooking, kids Christmas parties, plays and paraphernalia - AND working for a retailer, big on Christmas - I can't be arsed. So now is their moment. Their moment to shine in the face of adversity.
Wherever you are and whoever you're with in lockdown - remember, commemorate and celebrate. Put Vera Lynn on the wireless and take a rather large sip of that Dunkirk Spirit.
Because us small boats can have a pretty huge impact when we come together.
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| I definitely need to buy new felt tips now..... |
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| Our posters fit for V E Day! |
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