Canada. From the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word, kanata, meaning "village" or "settlement".
Indeed, my village, your village, our village.... our home.
Most of you who know me have at one point or another heard my rants about how I wish everyone in Canada showed their pride a little louder on this day.
Just in case, for those who don't know me, I will just tell you that I am an immigrant to this country myself, having been here with my mother, my sister and my brother, thanks to my mother's vision of a better life since 1990, and Neil, having been born here, doesn't have to go far to discover his Canadian roots as his mother is an immigrant and his dad's parents were immigrants as well.
My point is, I truly consider this country my home. I feel 100% Canadian. I go nuts on Canada Day!!! I proudly fly the Canadian flag, especially on July 1st!
I am happier still to see the 2010 Winter Olympics have taken Canadian pride to a brand new level....don't you think? I see more flags, more people wearing red and white and even more people with Maple leafs on their faces, their heads, everywhere!!! This makes me sooo happy, as I hoped everyone, come July 1st, would remember the feeling of randomly breaking into "Oh Canada" during the Olympics, and being so proud of having the privilege to be a part of this country!!
Why am I so adamant about this?
Well, in 2001 I went to New York City on July 2nd. (Those of you who've heard my ensuing rant can skip ahead). Basically, I was here on July 1st for Canada Day and then in New York City for July 4th on their Independence Day, and that's when I knew my rants had some merit. Over the years, I have heard people tell me that July 4th is Canada Day on steroids, and that Canadians are not flag-waiving people, but you couldn't convince me of any reason why Canada Day couldn't feel the same!!
Mostly because this is a country that allows everyone to fly whatever flag they want (i.e. World Cups, etc), a country that embraces every culture and every background and yes, I too have done the same during those events, but I have ALWAYS flown my Canadian flag at the same time along with the those of the two other countries I consider a part of my heritage, because, after all, THIS IS MY HOME! - end rant.
It took a few years, but I am so happy to see this change in people. Today I see red and white everywhere! In my town, on the news, on Facebook, everywhere!!!
This year, Neil and I are blessed to be experiencing a whole other culture, and a whole other side of this country. Living in the Prairies is already teaching us a lot of things. It is a completely different lifestyle than that of a place that is only one Province away!! And yes, we have had to make some adjustments in our lives and we have found it difficult at times, but the truth is, I wouldn't change a thing! In fact, it only increases my curiosity to explore this country more and more!! I mean, we have only ever lived in two Provinces (actually I have lived in three and Neil in two Provinces) out of this enormous, beautiful country and there is so much more to see!
In the end, the view may change from one Province to another, but the people... Canadians remain the same. And that is why we call this beautiful land our home.
Happy birthday Canada.
P.S: This is a photo I took of how children in my neighbourhood decided to show their Canadian Pride!!
