Remembrance Day 2025: A Glimmer of Hope in a Precious Dolls House

This Remembrance Day, I’m thinking about my Nan in a way that’s small and personal, but also full of the courage that runs through our family stories.

During the Blitz of London in World War II, 1941, my Nan's mother and Auntie Ada carried a doll's house through the streets while the city burned and the air raid sirens cried out. The image feels almost too tender for such a harsh time: two adults lifting a fragile toy through chaos, a glimmer of hope in the middle of the storm.

An act of extreme courage and bravery to get that special present for Christmas that year was a far cry from my usual panic buying on Amazon a few days before every year!

The most exclusive tea party, with Nan's Mum, Nan and Nan's Auntie Ada

That moment on Christmas morning must have meant a lot to Nan. To her, that doll's house wasn’t just a toy - it was a small, tangible beacon of safety and hope when everything else seemed to be breaking apart. She carried that memory of her mother and auntie with her as she grew, a quiet reminder that even in the darkest hours, someone was thinking of her and doing whatever it took to make her world better. Something that she did for all of her family over the years.

Christmas Morning 1941.... the proudest girl in London!

Last year we sadly lost Nan. I have been incredibly lucky to inherit her doll's house. It’s now the most precious thing I own. The stories it holds - the sound of Nan’s voice describing that night, the pride in her family, and the way she described how that little house felt like a glimmer of light and hope in a very dark sky.

Today, the dolls house sits in my home with pride of place. A simple look up at it in my office brings a warmth that's she's still looking over me. It’s a tangible link to our families resilience, to the tiny acts of care, and to the hope that can survive even when the world seems to be on fire.

If you’re reading this and missing someone who carried you through hard times, maybe think of a small object that carries a big memory. For me, it’s Nan’s dolls house - a quiet treasure that keeps her close and lights up the room when I need it most.

Lest we forget, and may we hold tight to the little things that carry the biggest memories.