158th Canada Day celebrations abound in the land. From Vancouver, on one of the 3 oceans that border the country, I listen to the radio coverage by our official national broadcaster, CBC.
The rest of the country is beyond my southern exposure patio door. Drapes are drawn to keep my space cooler and protected from the long-awaited summer sun now bearing down on it.
We are breaking records as a nation for flag purchases this year to wave on our patriotism. In my greeting above, I use words our Prime Minister, Mark Carney, used in the press conference to distinguish our country and our case in the face of the American president’s predilection to refer to us as the 51st state and world leaders by only their first name. I was especially struck by his referring to our nation’s residents as owners.
The PM is listing what is to be celebrated in our culture, sport, science and more, as well as all the serious situations in the world we must be concerned with.
The challenges and the celebrations make me feel part of something larger and inclusive. My immediate situation reminds me that I am more isolated as a senior with health issues far from family, and if I want to be a part of anything more, I must make more efforts.
