So there you have it. Olympics came and went, and we are back to everyday reality. It took me a week to stop channel surfing in hopes to find some sign of the games and euphoria it brought. I still expect high fives from strangers and "Go Canada!!!" when walking down the street.
I felt the transformation from being an "immigrant" to a Canadian, being completed. I think it happened at the last moment of the USA vs. Canada hockey game. It was awesome , wasn't it?
Which reminds me of a day when someone commented on my daughters "Canadian flag" towel (I was using at my yoga class), with a question: "Why are the immigrants always bigger patriots than people that are born here?"
I didn't have an answer there, in that moment, since it caused me sharp pain , not being able to believe what I'm hearing. The moment kept going through my mind for months... After visiting my homeland this summer, then the Olympics, I realize the answer came to me:
We are not "patriots" in a shallow meaning the comment implied. The "immigrant" has a respect for the Country that has offered them second chance in life, that gave them opportunities to succeed, to enjoy their life in peace.
I can appreciate the fact that I don't have to be afraid an night , that my child will have a happy childhood and have choices in life. And, finally, because we are not taking our freedom for granted, which I think sometimes people born here do, never experiencing war and people close to them dying because of it.
I can say more about it, but I think this sums it up.
So, after I finally wrote down what bugged me for months, all I want to say is "Go Canada, go!!!!"
