An unusual Remembrance Day, as Mother Nature in Hudson revealed the splendour of her power

On Remembrance Day morning, I wandered through the forest and encountered a scene of such profound beauty: heavy snow draped the branches, transforming the woodland into a sacred sanctuary of white. I felt as though I had stepped into a heaven-like realm — where peace, grace and harmony uplifted my spirit and infused the moment with new meaning and purpose.

Later, returning home, I joined the solemn ceremony honouring all who fought in the world’s darkest wars. The contrast struck me: the forest’s gentle hush and the solemn toll of remembrance. Yet it was here—in that convergence of nature’s quiet and humanity’s grief—that I found hope. In the words of Fareed Zakaria, I witnessed “the light of humanity shining through darkness.”

I stood among the people of Hudson, feeling the rich tapestry of our community—its diversity, its shared resolve—to honour both our differences and our shared humanity. In that moment, amid sorrow and reverence, beauty and remembrance, I sensed a deeper purpose awaken within me.

Remembrance Day in Hudson - 9 November 2025