Canada Day This Year

People today are wrestling with their sense of patriotism. Our global economy, and social networks have been thrown askew over the last 16 months. Borders have closed and protectionism has taken a foothold around the world. Here at home, systemic issues rear their heads again, and again.

At the Funeral Home, we help families through challenges of the present. The loss is raw, and recent. As Funeral Directors our aim is to help with the tangibles, we know that moving through grief requires people to participate. However, we also hear many stories of the past. In trying to honour the whole person we sift through the black and white photos and at times hear resentment in one’s tone of voice. We witness anger, and smile when renewal happens in the room right in front of us.

This Canada Day I am going to “wear my work hat.” Families have taught me that mixed emotions are okay, heck I would go so far as to say encouraged. We can have national pride and mourn. Stand tall in the shadow of the Maple Leaf, and recoil at the shadowy horrors we read about in the news. Let us all participate in the continued bettering of this Great Nation.

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.

Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.

How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western Sea,
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free!