Just had a bit of a "moment", I was rummaging about on old posts and came across a model soon to be for sale (back in 2007). It was the HMS Royal Oak, a beautiful ship and a beautiful model by the looks of it. I knew the name and the story behind it very well, my uncle went down with her and lost his life.
I remember many years ago coming across old photo's and a medal belonging to him, it didn't really stir much emotion as he had died 16 years before I was born, it was hard to relate too except for finding respect for him and his comrades. I also remember watching a memorial ceremony some years ago and reading about the sinking, but still it had little effect, just another story of lives long since lost.
Today was different, I suppose as you get older you get tougher in many ways, but inside you can just as fragile as the little boy you were on his first day at school, and things take you by surprise.
I looked at that model for a while and remembered the tales about my Uncle, how he liked a drink, how loved to dance, and how he loved the girls, suddenly for the first time it became real to me. I went onto Google and found old photos and more of the wreck, I found myself crying like a child. My wife walked into the room and panicked thinking something had happened, I could hardly speak through the tears but managed to point at the screen and and get the words out...."Royal Oak".
She knew then what was wrong, her arms went round me and I cried even more, she kissed me on the cheek and whispered "silly old sod", I looked at her and smiled and realised how lucky I am.