WEYBURN - “Oh, Canada! Our home and native land. True cave of love!....”
My three-year-old student’s voice rang out loud and clear, confident in his rendition of our national anthem.
How I wish these words were true! The dissension that we have seen over the past two plus years has me wondering if Canada truly is as wonderful as I think it is.
I was out for dinner with some friends last week, and we were discussing how we now refer to things as BC, DC and AC (Before COVID, During COVID and After COVID). The pandemic has become a place marker in history by which we mark other events such as births, deaths and marriages.
We are now able to hold gatherings for these events again and enjoy a somewhat normal lifestyle.
As we prepare to celebrate our country’s 155th birthday, I hope we can celebrate the positive aspects of our lives here in Canada. We do have many freedoms and rights that other countries do not have.
We may not agree with the choices our government makes, or how our leaders run things, but we have a voice. We are free to vote, and if we have a concern, we can address our members of parliament and the legislature by submitting letters.
We are free to worship. We are free to celebrate. We are free to protest when needed. These freedoms are not available to everyone.
Consider the words to our national anthem. I hope as we celebrate on Friday, we sing it loud and proud.
“O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North, strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.”
