Wednesday 7 December 2011

The Military Wives Choir


On his breakfast show this morning Chris Evans played the Military Wives Choir twice.  He is certainly giving it a big push to get it to number one this Christmas.  And this is my own little push to get it up the charts where it deserves to be.  Let’s have no more manufactured X Factor number ones but something Christmassy like the good old days, although Bob the Builder and Mr Blobby don’t count!

The first time Chris played the song this morning it was just past 7 o’clock.  I was snuggled up in bed with youngest son.  He has taken to sleeping in with me some nights, a habit I really should break but I love the warmth of a little body beside me and the big sleepy hug I inevitably get in the morning.

Chris then played the song again near the end of his show.  This time I was in the car, on my way to do some Christmas shopping.  Socks were high up on my list, read yesterday’s post to find out why.  I actually spent more in M & S on underwear than I did in Waterstones buying proper gifts!

As I got a chance to listen once more to the words I pondered why this song means so much to me.

I have posted on the MWC facebook page that I feel an affinity towards them as I know what it is like to be running things while your husband is away.  Alright so Andrew was only away for a couple of weeks at a time but since he died last year I know the pain of separation on a far greater scale.

The words of the song, beautifully composed by Paul Mealor, were taken from love letters written by the wives.  Those girls know how to write a romantic letter.  I still have the ones I wrote to Andrew but these are in a different league to the drivel I wrote.  But then Andrew was only on an oil rig in the middle of the North Sea and not in a war zone.  I didn’t have the same fears he might not make it home.

We did however spend some Christmases and birthday apart.  Andrew telling me he had an vital role in bringing the gas ashore so that everyone could cook their Christmas turkey. Important, yes but nowhere near the same as the task facing our brave service men and women.

When I listen to the song with its beautiful words sung by angelic voices I like to think it is Andrew’s words to me.  Words that were on his heart but so often inadequately expressed. 
 
Yes I know it is a stretch of the imagination and I in no way want to denigrate this heartfelt song.  But the marvel of song lyrics is that each of us can take them and make them our own. 
 
I believe that Andrew has gone on to a better place where there is no more pain or sorrow.  I like to think he is looking down on the three of us, me particularly and singing…

Wherever you are my love will keep you safe,
My heart will build a bridge of light across both time and space.
Wherever you are, our hearts still beat as one
I hold you in my dreams each night until your task is done    
Light up the darkness, my wondrous star
Our hopes and dreams, my heart and yours, forever shining far
Light up the darkness, my prince of peace.
May the stars shine all around you may your courage never cease. 

So to the girls of the Military Wives Choir, Gareth Malone and Paul Mealor, I salute you and want to thank you for your wonderful song. 

I hope and pray you get the coveted number one spot on Christmas day but more than that my prayer for you is that however far apart your families may be spread that you will be surrounded by love, peace and joy this Christmas. xx

 You can watch the Military Wives Choir here with their official video - absolutely stunning and well worth watching!


34 comments:

  1. what a lovely piece of writing, gave me goosebumps, love & hugs to you and yours Sarah, and a merry christmas. Rach xxx

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  2. I couldn't put it better myself. Ordinary women like you and me coping with life in a way I have never had to. I so admire their courage and wish you and them all the best for the future x Carole

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  3. What a wonderful, heartfelt and very moving letter, thank you for posting it Sarah....like you, I'm totally supporting MWC and love hearing it at every opportunity!...can't wait for the single to be released, my copy's on order!
    Maggie
    p.s. go on enjoying those early morning cuddles with your your young son as long as you possibly can, they grow up far too quick! (altho cuddles will always be treasured, wherever they take place!)

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  4. A lovely post. Heartbraking to hear of anyone's loss but so grateful you are certain of where he is now! Are you contactable by email at all? Kate xx

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  5. wonderful sentiments and I agree it can apply to so many people not just those with their partners in Afghan. My husband worked away for 18 months and for those who have lost some one close the words still ring true.

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  6. Wow. You're beautiful words gave a tingle down my spine.

    Keep strong for the little one, and for yourself. You're loved one is still with you in spirit and in you.
    Simon

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  7. Don't put your love for your husband down by thinking that written words are less that you think. Your beautifully composed blog says everything about you and I wish you the very best in the future. And yes your man was doing a vital job as well.

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  8. wonderful words and so full of emotion i just sit listening and i start to cry thank you ladies for letting us share your hidden thoughts of love for your husbands and boyfriends who gave and give there all for us please keep safe xxx

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  9. Lovely blog and i agree thecwords of the song are fab. I have ordered 2 copies of the CD from Amazon.
    Come on people place an order and do some real good this christmas fro forces charities

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  10. You are a very brave lady I have the utmost respect for you. (Ex soldier's daughter and wife)xx

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  11. I want to post a comment but I find it hard to match your words - what a brave lady you are. Cuddle your Son for as long as he wants and you want, as someone else just said, they grow up so quickly. I like you am supporting these wonderful girls, their loved ones must be so proud of them as yours are of you.
    Dont spend too much on socks - buy yourself something nice too.
    Sending you many huggs and kisses

    Pat

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  12. Wonderful words that come from the heart, Helen xx

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  13. Such poignant words from a young widow. Take care and be happy in your life. Sometimes we dont always understand the reasons for things that happen but be assured they happen for a reason. Be strong. And, as a mother of a son who is now 28 let him sleep in your bed as long as you both want. I still wish i could have a cuddle from my little boy xx

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  14. Your words made me cry - and your husband was doing a vital job. 2 weeks can seem as long as 6 months when you are the one left behind and it makes no difference whether they are only 4 hours away by car or on the other side of the world. Stay strong for the memory of your husband and for the future with your son. xxx

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  15. That was lovely and it's great to see so many other people being able to relate to the lyrics in their own way.
    The ladies are doing such an amazing job raising awareness, vital money for much needed charities but also showing another side to the story that the public only get of a glimpse of when bad news is published.
    Good luck to you and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas full of cuddles x x x

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  16. What an amazing young lady. Keep those cuddles going because it is so true - you will blink and he will be all grown up but so very proud of his wonderful mum and your words will keep his daddy in his heart forever.

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  17. I totally agree, Have just lost my 96 year old mum after she had lived with us for 21 years. The words are wonderful, very comforting. Gareth and the girls are wonderful

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  18. what a lovely blog. My thoughts are with you and your children xxx

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  19. A great piece of writing. As a father with a son in the Royal Marines and a Grandaughters husband who is also a Royal Marine I feel all these emotions when they go on tour. and am immensly proud to have my Grandaughter singing in the choir.

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  20. Well Sarah what a lovely piece with such thought for others at this time of year. I hope as time passes by you feel more at ease with your situation and keep on loving and hugging your little boy. Our thoughts are with the Military wives, girlfriends and families at this time but we will spend a great deal of time this Christmas and New Tear thinking about all families that have lost a dear one in recent times. Take care Sarah give the little chap another hug from us. David & Lesley.

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  21. Hugs to you and your little boy. Take care God Bless you both. Xxx

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  22. Goodness knows I know exactly where you are with this my husband spent 25 years offshore in the North Sea before he came home for good and I know that his job wasn't as dangerous as the guys in Afghanistan but nevertheless every day someone could get injured or die and it wasn't always reported unless it was major like the Piper Alpha. And somewhere in the loft are all the daft but lovely letters he wrote to me in the early years before they got a phone booth, before satelite connection became the norm and they remind me why we are still together after 30 years x

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  23. As for somebody who has done military service and very supportive towards MWC, your story just highlights its effect it has on true love. Each one of us who listens to the song will and is able to relate in their lives what impact the words are?
    Every time I listen to the song I whelm up with emotion and feel so proud that my wife loves me.
    Blessings to you, keep you heart open to the love that you had, as it will pull you through.
    Thanks for Chris Evans' show to help push the MWC to #1! xxx

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  24. what lovely, lovely words Sarah and I totally agree with you, your husband will be looking down and singing those beautiful words. very touching it gives us all strength to carry on xx
    from a Mum of a Royal Marine recently served in Afghan xx

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  25. I think you are so brave sharing your memories on here!I am sure that you will draw strength from doing that.You cannot change the past but you can change the future! you have every reason to be proud of your hubby and the job he did,i hope that one day you will be able to rebuild your life again! enjoy your little boy he is Gods gift to you.Looking forward to the girls reaching number 1 for Christmas like you say the words have so much meaning to each person. May God bless each & everyone of you& give you peace.Margaret x

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  26. Sarah, all the earlier Posts have said all that I would have said. I am sure your late husband is following all that is going on in your life, and also knows about the song.Take care, Maxine x

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  27. Utmost respect and sincere best wishes for your future Sarah. As the parent of a serving Submariner I pray his family never has to go through the same tragic experience. x

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  28. All these posts are wonderful and Sarah hug your child for as long as you need your husband is still with your in your heart and is watching over you, as an ex army myself many years ago my husband was also in the army then two of our sons joined the army one of them was sent into Kosovo and spent some time in Pristina I hardly slept the first few weeks I know how very hard it is, even now I know that when the troops come back from war zones many of them are scarred in the inside where no-one sees the mark and their families have a lot of patience and hard work to bring their life back to normality so to all of you who are dealing with this I send all my love to help to keep you going Take Care Mary

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  29. Dear Sarah, I am part of the Military Wives Choir and what you have written is so beautiful and I am happy to know that this has touched your heart. Thank you for your kind words. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that this brings you a tiny bit of comfort. You must be a very strong woman, indeed. x

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  30. Dear Sarah ... You sound like a totally amazing, strong lady, Mother and friend ... what you have written in your blog is so moving and beautiful ... thank you for sharing your thoughts ... I feel certain that your husband is looking down on you and holding yours and your childrens' hands ... I wish you and your children and family a peaceful Christmas and may 2012 bring you strength and happiness love Victoria x

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  31. Dear Sarah i am also part of the Military Wives Choir and oh my god you brought tears to my eyes. im so sorry for your loss and the heartache you will feel for a very long time to come im sure and i feel so humble that you feel our song at least in some small way may help you on your next chapter in life with your son. Im also sure that your love letters to Andrew would have said just as much as ours have, who would of thought that these little personal words we write could be turned into such a beautiful song...Paul Mealor did. It also doesn't matter if your/our husbands are away for a short time or a long time we women find the strength to pick up and carry on...whose to know what ly's ahead. I admire your courage and strength you are in my eyes a true hero...lots and love and kisses to you both, Rachal Newey xxx

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  32. Dear Sarah, i would like to echo the post of my fellow choir member Rachel. your husband did an amazing job in order that we, the public, could have a comfortable life - no less important than what our husbands do and just as overlooked! Your separation would feel the same and i can only imagine now how you must be feeling. my heart goes out to you and your son and you should be so proud of your strength. if we get a number 1 it is because our song has touched so many and that to me and my fellow choir members is the greatest reward. thank you for your support and please always take the message to be your own - that is what it is for - we were just privileged enough to be the carriers. much love Beth Trantham (MWC)

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  33. Sarah I wish you as happy as christmas as you can have. I lost my dad when I was 12 and I am now 49 but I remember how my mum helped hold it all together - not easy for her at the time and something that even now I still remember and feel profoundly grateful for her doing...you are and will remain a very special person to your children :-)

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  34. Your husband and all who provide vital services for our country have my admiration and thanks. On behalf of all my family I am sending your family our love, Liz xxx

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