Chatelech Secondary School student, 16-year-old Kaija Heitland, put herself in the shoes of a mother who lost her only son in World War II to create a poem worthy of an award from the Sechelt Legion.
The poem, titled "Memories of a Silver Cross Mother" was read to members of the Legion last week, and one legionnaire noted there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Kaija was presented with her award during the school's Remembrance Day ceremony last Wednesday.
The poem is written in the first person and describes a mother's love for her son throughout his infant and teenage years.The young man joins the army and is stationed in France before the mother receives a letter saying, "It is with deepest regret that we must inform you that your son"
The mother's love for her son and the pain of the loss is reflected upon every Remembrance Day. "So many years have passed and I have grown old without you," the mother says in her poem.
"Various inspirations lead me to write about this WWII topic that I felt didn't have a lot said about it," Kaija said.
She was given a certificate and small cash award for her winning entry into the Sechelt Legion's Literary Contest that asks school aged children to write poems or short stories about Remembrance Day and its importance to Canada.
Here is a complete copy of Kaija's poem reproduced with her permission.
Memories of a Silver Cross MotherA cold November morning.The wind is blowing, but the sun feels warm.
I remember another cold day when the sun was shining and the wind was cold.The day you were born.Your father so proud of you.His son.Red hair like my mother.A smile that comforted our hearts.You were so beautiful.My first born child.My baby boy.
I remember when you learned to walk.Once when we went fishing,You fell into the creek.You brought home snakes and lost dogs.You picked dandelions for me,And said they were roses.After a bath you smelled so clean.You looked like a beaming angel.My charming lad.My baby boy.
I remember the Christmas you got your sled.You loved it so much.I called you in, but you didn't want to come.You were having too much fun playing in the snow.You caught a cold.I fed you soupAnd read you stories in bed.My wee child.My baby boy.
I remember you in high school,Living life and having fun.Graduated with the highest grades in your class.We were so proud,Your father and I.Standing in the living room dressed in your uniform.You hugged me tight, kissed me goodbye,Laughed when I cried.My fine young man.My baby boy.
I remember the letters from France.The food was never as good as Mom's.You were lonely for home.The stories of the other boys,All so young, so full of adventure.Just like you."It is with deepest regret that we must inform you that your son "My brave young soldier.My baby boy.
A cold November morning.The call of the bugles breaks the silence.The sound carries me back from my quiet reflection.So many years have passed, and I have grown old without you.I will always remember you in my heart.
My only son.My baby boy.
