October 1 -- Happy Anniversary!

I think this anniversary will be my favourite for years, not just because it's our 25th, but how we spent it.

We got up early and had breakfast in our B and B, Kent and I had the "full English breakfast", more food than anyone should consume in one sitting....ever.

We headed into town, to spend the day at the Tower of London.  We then stopped on our way at Star Mugs for coffee......get it?  Star Mugs.  We also used the loo, just an FYI, carry 50p around with you all the time.  That's what it costs to use the toilet....

I don't know if I can fully describe in a single blog what being in the Tower of London meant for me.  In a sad way, I know more about English History than I know about Canadian History.  Especially about the Royalty.

So, today, this meant the world to me.

Firstly, the Tower was built as a family home for the Royal Family.  It was started in 1066 by William the Conqueror.  In fact, Anne Boleyn's home was built there, not finished until after her death.  She was only married to King Henry VIII for 3 years.  3 very short years.

Secondly, the Tower's reputation for being a jail, was supposed to be for the worst criminals, murderers and thieves.

But it was used as a prison for reformists and political prisoners.  This is where I was halted.

I took this series of photos:

 

 So here's the question, how far would you go for your beliefs?  

I think the easy answer is if you believe you'd go all the way, even to die for what you believe in, but I don't think it's that easy.

I've seen this decay that has permeated all things "churchy" lately.  People, willing to lie to save their hide, steal from work because they feel they are entitled, little "white" lies, but still lies.

I pushed the last button.  Why am I telling you this?  Partially because I want it to be public that I believe in Jesus' sacrifice, like I believe in Thomas More and others who died so that I could worship freely like I do.  The other reasons are purely for myself.

The odd thing, is Henry VIII was a reformist.  Wanting to leave the "Holy Catholic Church" to start his own church--purely for selfish reasons, so he could rid himself of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.  But he was a reformist.

Here he is, executing people for the fact that they don't believe like he does.  I am sure there were all kinds of political things here too, but the short fact is, He as a reformist, was killing of reformers.

Isn't that just like our society?

I wandered that day, mostly numb and a little bewildered at what we saw, the most chilling being the graffiti left by prisoners, as they awaited his or hers execution.

They were real people, who had real loves, lives and beliefs.  So who am I to look at their sacrifice with anything else but awe and gratefulness?