I am proud of him yet I fear for him. I want him to be brave but I want him to come back whole. I want him to be adventurous but I want him home. But most of all I want him never to be alone. On 11 th of November 1918 at 11 am the guns fell silent on the Western Front. On this day we pause and give respect and a minute of our time to the memory of the brave souls who went out and fought on our behalf. For many years I paid respect to this day but never with too much emotional involvement. Till this year – when I stood amongst my students, friends and colleagues pausing in respect and remembering the fallen young men and women while thinking of my own son who is in Brisbane, in the army and who has become one of those who will go out and defend our way of life if need be. This day took on a complete new significance for me. I realised that through my son I have become part of something bigger and more intangible. While I was listening to the haunting sound o...