Restrictions and Rations Then and Now

Restrictions and Rations Then and Now

Last weekend I recorded a message that referred to Paul Byrnes' book The Lost Boys (pictured).

It is an historical account of young men, indeed teenagers really, who went away to enlist in the armed services in World War I. I had opened the pages of that book because it was Anzac Day weekend and, as is often the case, was trying to enter into some of the original ANZAC experiences.
As a youngster, I recall my own parents talking of their experiences during World War II.
They used to talk of restrictions, rations and coupons. They usually had their own cow or chooks, so they didn’t need coupons for milk or butter or eggs. So they would swap with other families for coupons like flour.
As we begin to understand what it feels like, what it seems like, in these days of the restrictions of COVID-19, I was wondering how some of the restrictions, including the struggles to buy some goods in the shops, was in someway similar to wartime experiences.
Perhaps some of our elder parishioners are able to tell us what it was like during World War II. Maybe they have some reflections on how that was similar or how it is different to what we experience now. For a couple of weeks parishioners have been writing messages to our older parishioners. Now may be an opportunity for some of our older parishioners to share some of their experiences as they are able. 
May we all continue to learn from our past and our present as we face the future with more faith and hope in Jesus who is the gate into our life to the full. 

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