Honestly what a day. The whole reason I came to Dover is because of my mom and Vera Lynn. My parents immigrated to Canada in 1957. I was 1 and 1/2. They both served overseas during WWII, they met in Ceylon, married and that is how my life began. Growing up with parties and sing songs with other immigrants singing out Vera Lynn. They knew the words to every song and Vera brought them all together. My mom’s love of the monarchy and especially Queen Elizabeth was unmatched. When events started to be televised she was up at the crack of dawn to watch it with a Kleenex box by her hand. If there was a plate or commemorative cup my mom bought it and now I have them all.

Waking up this morning to a rainy and gloomy day in Dover, I was determined that I was walking the “White Cliffs of Dover. Jim and I lucked out and our 4 hour walk had barely a drop of rain until we got back. Yes we sang the White Cliffs of Dover and yes I cried. My parents felt very close to me. I truly never feel they are far away from me. And these memories bring them so much closer.

Hearing the news about Queen Elizabeth tonight, I feel my mom’s hand on my shoulder as I reach for a kleenex or truthfully a box. The end of an era and I don’t know if we will ever get another statesperson like her.

Here are a few pictures from our 16000 step walk today, enjoy them as I watch all the tributes to Queen Elizabeth II.