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!!!!"
Hey Rea,
ReplyDeleteI think, perhaps those of us who've spent a significant amount of time outside of Canada are more likely to realize what a great thing we've got here. We don't take it for granted.It was really cool though with the Olympics to see other Canadians starting to feel the pride and maybe recognition of how good we've got it.