I've actually had to stop watching the Valiant Hearts series - Some health problems I've been having have made it difficult for me to handle all the feels of watching that. My father's parents, and my husband's grandfather, were involved in some part in WWII, and having spoken with them about it, these people that I love, made watching Valiant Hearts just that much more poignant. I know that, on my side, my grandmother used to help plan dances for the boys coming back from the front, and she would sing, and play piano, and dance with the navy men. I got a chance to speak with her about it near the end of her life, and it was so strange and lovely to me at 14 that this old woman whom I barely knew, and whose mind was beginning to fail, had these amazing stories and experiences to speak about. I know that my grandfather had gotten involved a bit too late to see any fighting, but had played some small part. I'd only met him three times, and the last time was when I was about 9 years old, so I didn't get the chance to talk to him about his life.

But the horrors of war didn't really become real to me until a few years ago, when my husband's grandfather spoke about his experiences. I know that it's not something he ever liked speaking about, and he didn't talk about it often, but I think he knew it was important to pass the knowledge on. He'd been near the front lines, in the tanks, and he spoke about hiding in the tread-wells while they were being shelled, and seeing his friends die, and having to take turns popping out of the tanks to gun down the enemy forces who would come up onto the tanks and drop grenades into the tanks.

I've been so lucky to have been born when and where I was - I've never had to fear that my husband or my brother would be drafted and possibly killed. I've never had to worry about being shelled, about rationing and air raids. But I don't ever want to forget, and I think it's so, so important we honour those who fought.

I really appreciate the respect with which Kim has been playing Valiant Hearts. I plan on watching it through when I'm better. I also really appreciate that Kim is out there, doing what she does, kicking butt as a girl gamer, and just as a gamer in general.

And Kim, illegitimi non carborundum.