Dear Hallie, Today my husband Lloyd and I brought CJ to the Charles Bridge in Prague, that was first built in the 14th century, completed in the 15th. We walked across to locate the Lorraine Cross that had been imbedded in the wall of the bridge, exactly at the very spot, where St Jan Nepomuk had been lobbed off the bridge in 1369 (when he had refused to reveal to the King Wenceslas IV, his wifes confessions. ( this is not the good King Wenceslas from the Christmas carols, that was Wenceslas the first who was good :-) It is said that at this spot, where Jan met his end, that 5 golden stars rose from the river. ( this is also apparently why several of the renaissance statues lining the river along the gothic bridge sport the stars above their heads, including the one of St Jan Nepomuk.) When the Dalai Lama was in Prague during one of his number of visits with his good friend Vaclav Havel, who was the President, they were strolling across this historic bridge together, when the Dalai Lama suddenly stopped and declared this is the centre of the universe and it just so happens to be the very spot when St Jan Nepomuk went into the river. His statue is a ways further down the bridge, and that is where the tourists always flocked, when told of his legend, and it is said if you stop and pay your respects to him, he will bring you back to Prague and although his luck was especially bad on the bridge, he will assure you safe passages over bridges. There are a few bronze plaques at the foot of his statue, that have been rubbed so much by tourists, it gleams like gold and so is a beacon to more tourists now . But at the very location where St Jan met his fate, no one would be aware of the small discreet Lorraine cross at this spot, there was nothing to really draw attention to it. A few years ago, someone in city hall decided to have erected at that spot a bronze depiction of the scene of St Jan going into the river, and it has attracted a multitude of tourists to that spot ever since. Today, as we walked onto the bridge from the Mala Strana ( Lesser Town) side of the Vltava River, we could see the crowds, and were concerned that perhaps CJ would only visit today in my pocket, but not be sent along because there were just too many people. The weather was crazy and erratic, the wind bitter cold, and as we approached the bridge a few flakes of snow fell, then immediately disappearing. It was very crowded at the centre of the universe today! There was one large tour group after another, all taking photos and some saying some silent prayers there. I didnt want to be rushed or not have the time that CJ deserves or to fight the hoardes, so we walked a bit further along the bridge, and waited, and waited, and waited, it was so so cold and so so windy and we were really getting frozen. But then then the window of opportunity just presented itself, there was no lineup at that spot, so I took out CJs picture, Lloyd took photos of him, and I read a poem that is much beloved of airmen, and one that I read when my sister and I had our fathers ashes laid to rest according to his wishes with his parents in Vancouver, Canada. My father was a Halifax bomber pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force and served in England in WW2 with RAF 158 squadron based in Lissett on the east coast of England. This poem is called High Flight and was written by John McGee who was a young American who crossed into Canada to join the RCAF in 1940 and serve in the war as the States had not yet entered. He became a Spitfire pilot and wrote this beautiful poem after being especially inspired after a flight and sent it to his parents. He was killed just a few months later in a flying accident in his Spitfire at just 19 1/2 years old. This is the poem I read aloud to CJ while holding his photo: High Flight Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air.... Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace. Where never lark, or even eagle flew — And, while with silent, lifting mind Ive trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, - Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. Then I took out CJs ashes and suddenly the wind that had been buffeting us about, just stopped as I held his ashes in my hand over the Lorraine Cross at the centre of the universe. It was calm and beautiful, there were no crowds pushing to get to this spot, there was just a mother and daughter waiting nearby who became very quiet and respectful and smiled kindly at CJ. I told CJ that his parents loved him, were proud of him, that I knew his mother would be happy and wished him a good journey as the wind came back ever so gently to send him out across the bridge over the river. A tiny amount still on my hand I touched to the Lorraine cross in the bridge and then the last tiny bit just beyond to face the Prague castle. We smiled and wished him well, and as we were leaving the bridge, that strong wind came back, a few flakes of snow fell and disappeared immediately again. I had no doubt of his presence and his joy and appreciation of another journey. I have a miniature at home of the memorial that was built at the site of my fathers old base in England. This is in honour for the 851 young men ( and one woman) who had died. The motto of the 158 squadron was strength in unity and is so well represented by the 7 crewmen who each depended on each other. I have placed CJs picture with them, I know the 158 boys will watch over him and hope their motto will also provide you with strength as you continue to engage others on this journey. I will be very interested in CJs further travels, let me know if you receive this ok, or if the photo sizes are too large, I can reduce them if needed and I do hope we can be in touch in the future. I also hope his journeys will continue to bring you some comfort and to inspire others with your dedication to your sons memory, he was a very lucky young man to have such a loyal loving mother. I have no doubt he is watching over you, is proud of you, is so aware of your love and devotion and is wishing you a sense of peace so that you will be able to continue walk the earth for him, find joy in the day and to continue to send him and share with him and others on these incredible journeys. Warmest regards, Sharon Here are the photos for you, please feel free to share if you wish - xo
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 22:03:01 +0000
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