Oh Canada

Oh Canada, My Canada

It is where I was born; where I live. I am proud and would choose no other place to call home.

Life for me has presented challenges and I often found, and still find, solace within the lyrics and beats provided by the likes of Bryan Adams, Tom Cochrane, Sass Jordon, Sarah McLachlan, Honeymoon Suite, The Tragically Hip. The list is fairly extensive.

The laughter given by Michael J Fox or Jim Carry.

The talent of the CBC line-ups.

Sara Stanley in Road to Avonlea along with Anne of green gables.

The drama given to us by Keifer in a range of twenty-four hours.

Travelling where no man has gone before with William Shatner.

The weird and interesting David Cronenberg to Margaret Atwood… with a passion for writing, I’ll follow their lead with stories like ‘Chronicles of a Girl’ and ‘The Soul Bound Series’…#GirlPower

Having worked backstage at Canada’s oldest professional summer theatre, The Red Barn; an experience I’ll never forget.

 Oh Canada, my Canada.

From the 'Sleeping Giant' in Thunder Bay Ontario to 'The Chief' near Whistler Vancouver ; the rolling hills, flat plans, clear lakes, and frigid winds in Winterpeg… it is a breath of nature at its best. Niagara Falls and four seasons in a year that can drive us nuts, keep us on our toes, and bring us together.

Iceberg sightseeing to the rocky terrains of valleys and shorelines in Newfoundland and Labrador.

My dream of renting an RV with family and friends and going coast to coast and exploring the in-betweens.

Oh Canada, my Canada.

Memories...

My last outing with my dad before he passed away, an occasion spent doing the wave and watching our Toronto Blue Jays at Exhibition Stadium.

Hockey night in Canada shared with my Opa, hooting and hollering at the Toronto Maple Leafs while we watched the television set and he kept score on a side of the nearest Kleenex box before cancer interfered with this ritual.

Alexander, Molson and Moosehead, the times we share and have shared toasting to friends in a basement garage, by a campfire, on a patio, and always near a grill.

Oh Canada, my Canada. 

The true North, strong and free.

“Strong and free.” Not just about physical prowess or location, but a frame of mind. Overcoming barriers and being a Survivor! My personal life anthem from Avril Lavigne in ‘Take me Away.’

Tears; Laughter; Pride. Respect and kindness.
Inclusion of people, culture, heritage and diversity.

Freedom to choose and be yourself.

The Canadian “honking” goose to the flat tailed beaver to the giant Moose; multiple winter toques to various summer sandals; lounging on a Muskoka chair to ice-fishing Lake Simcoe.

The Olympic gold medals I’ve cheered on, though more winter than summer.

Listening to the radio while cruising the highway,
from Toronto’s Q-107 to Calgary’s soft rock 97.7.

The Raptors.

The Blue Bombers, Argos and Roughriders.

Viola Desmond and Terry Fox.

The historical and defining Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge.

The advanced and supersonic Avro Arrow… a model of this I proudly keep.

Harvey’s Angus burger and Swiss Chalet dipping sauce.

Double doubles at Tim’s... though I do prefer tea with two sugars and a milk.

Crystal clears lakes, giant endless fields of trees, and good old fashioned genuine Canadian Maple Syrup.

This-Is-How-I-Feel!

Being Canadian and living in this beautiful country… priceless... eh!!