I have written before about how sometimes a series of thoughts forms a set of cascades through my mind like a mountain stream.
This morning I found myself in a memorial gardens close to where I live. The town has a strong association with Gallipoli, because of a local regiment's presence in the landing which began on 25th April 1915. The gardens commemorate this. Even before entering this space, I already had military associations with today. A member of my family was planning to read the speech from Shakespeare's Henry V which begins "Once more unto the breach, dear friends" and ends with a reference to St. George, hence the desire to read it on this day of 23rd April.
I have been continuing to think about those who have shown heroism in facing enemy swords and bowshot or other more modern weapons or experiencing other hardship in war. However, my thoughts ranged from this type of heroism to other ones. Earlier, I had talked to someone about a community arts project they are involved in. That has thrown up unexpected challenges, even if it has also been full of small victories. "Once more unto the breach" seemed to sum up the need to persevere.
From there, I walked across the road to a statue of the comedienne, actor and writer, Victoria Wood. Two women were placing a hat on the head of the statue, to give it the appearance of one of the characters in one of Victoria Wood's comedy routines. In seeing their enjoyment and sense of appreciation for what Victoria Wood had given them, it struck me that some of what she celebrated is another form of heroism - finding humour, courage and inspiration in the everyday and supposedly ordinary.
One of Victoria Wood's projects came to mind in this context. She adapted the diaries of Nella Last into a TV film and later a stage play, entitled Housewife, 49. This was the heading to the diaries which Nella Last submitted through a significant portion of her life to the Mass Observation project, which began in 1937. This set out to capture the experiences of people whose voices would not often be recorded, let alone preserved.
As I continued to walk through the town, I wondered how much we need to expand our idea of heroism, going far beyond those who receive medals or awards or are even noticed. Coping with a long queue in a busy post office, sharing a joke with the people repairing the pavement, promoting the work of a medical research charity, finding the patience to deal with the needs of a young child during a brief stop on a bench, or, to return to where I began the morning, providing inspiration to a local community are all so easily taken for granted or overlooked but merit longer contemplation.
To return to Shakespeare, perhaps it is a case of "sweet love remember'd such wealth brings, That then I scorn to change my state with kings."
Image Steven Smith/Art UK