Poppy for peace, originally uploaded by straaddreamer.

I've seen peace poppies for the first time in the last very last West End Farmer's Market (October 24th). It seemed way to early for wearing a poppy, and I was sure that I will see more white poppies around after... But I was wrong. Only place I've seen them is online.

Wars suck. And while I'm fully aware they must have some kind of an ecological role similar to plague that is equivalent to a massive spring-cleaning purging; there is no denying the pain, suffering, injustice, humiliation that each individual whose life has been touched by war is experiencing.

Wars have shaped the history of mankind pretty much since the beginning of time. The last two great wars seem to affect in some way or another, direct or indirect, almost every single person I ever met: families and loved ones from 2 or 3 generations ago that have been separated and wounded physically or emotionally are still experiencing the pain that these wars have inflicted on us. And before anyone really has time to heal - another global crisis arises and the cycle just does not seem to really come to an end, just to change place, time and victims.

So on this Remembrance Day, I want to not only remember all the Canadian soldiers that lost their lives or their well-being to defend this vast and free country in the 2 world wars; I want to remember all the inevitable victims of war, the world over. Soldiers are humans underneath their uniforms; and more often very young humans at that - my maternal grandfather, for example, was only 15 years old when he enlisted to the Jewish Brigade in the British Army to fight the Nazis and fascists in Italy. He did, however, forge his age because you had to be at least 16 years of age to volunteer to the army at the time. And I'm most certain there are too many teenage soldiers right now as I write this, probably even younger than 15, fighting for some cause or another, with or against their will.

So wear a white poppy next to your red one (in respect to the veterans that fought for our freedom and for those that lost their lives). This is to "Remember the fallen, including civilians, and work for peace". If you can't find one around that is already made by your local Poppy for Peace movement, just make one yourself from white fabric or paper.