Due to some family stuff going on, missed a couple of days of entering a blog so this one may be a little longer.
When you lose a person close to you whether it is family or friend, it is always a difficult time as there are son many things that will remind you of them at first. Gradually over time the emotional roller coaster smooths out but the feelings are never completely gone.
It was 22 years since I lost my mother and the recent passing of my uncle (her brother in law) has triggered many many of those feelings to return. It shakes you to the core and brings things back into check as you realize how important those around you are.
It is unfortunate that it takes losing someone you care about to wake you up to what you have. With today's stresses and demands, it is so easy to lose focus on what is important and become absorbed by the daily grind that wears us all down.
I didn't know my uncle very well but from what I recall of the times we spent together, it puts a smile on my face. He was a good man with a great sense of humour. He always had nice things to cheer you up when you were down. He very quickly made a good impression on those he met. Only after his death did I find out he was a Korean war vet and his service will be a US military ceremony. It will be an interesting experience to be there first hand. I have seen things on TV but to be there will be a completely different situation.
Meanwhile work continues, life goes on and the world keeps turning just like it did before he passed. Of late I have experienced some rather strong emotions and I don't know if it is partly due to his death and my mother's anniversary although I suspect it is. People are grumpy, impatient, rude and so self focused on what is important to them at the expense of family, friends and total strangers.
We are so wrapped up in the whirlwind of daily life (our own usually) that even waving at someone to say thank you for letting you into their lane is practically non-existent. There is no consideration, empathy, caring or whatever tag word you want to put to it by anyone that it is no wonder the world seems to be falling down around our feet. I find most recently that I have become completely intolerant of other nationalities for their apparent utter disregard to what kind of city, province or country Canada is. Our nationality is almost surely gone now except for a few things like the musical ride. They have weaseled their way into that as well wearing turbins instead of the traditional hat. I have no problem with their beliefs or their way of life, what I do have a problem with is having it jammed down my throat all the time. They say we are racist because we wish to protect our heritage and traditions while they flaunt ours in our faces.
As you may have guessed, I am a canadian born and bred caucasion person living in an area of the city that is predominantly non-caucasion. The only reason is this was the only place we could afford to buy a home because of these, what I would call, mini mansions that are popping up all over the area. Go right ahead and build your 6000 sq ft homes with your 8 cars in the driveway, the trucks on the street and the entire family having to go shopping just to be able to load their two cars with all the groceries, including 8 litres of milk.
Multi language signage on the street, translators at the driving centres, restrictions on hiring for a second language, block parties that take up a mile strip of a major thorough fare, and the list goes on. There is no denying they are bringing their money into our country but do they have to bring everything else as well. I would love to be able to go in a shop and have the person behind the counter speak at least reasonable english to me. Don't ignore me because I am caucasion and you are not. Time after time this has happened and each time my temper gets shorter and shorter. What you did in your own country does not mean it should apply here. Yes bring your traditions and your culture here but don't destroy mine in the meantime.
What is a true canadian? I honestly don't know any more. I feel I have lost my own national sense of being with the overwhelming open door policy that we have towards people from other countries. If you come to Canada, become a canadian. Allow us the right to be our own country not a conglomeration of the world's in one area. I am not going to apologize for being patriotic to what is left of our national pride. I will not back down from fighting for our right to our own way of life. We let you in and it is our right to ask you to leave. You don't own this country YET although you are getting there rather quickly.
I admire the Australian Prime Minister who stated that if you don't like the way we do things, our way of life or following the rules we have set down in our society for the people of this country, go back home because once you're here, you're australian, nothing else will be accepted.
It is these issues that have significantly come to the forefront of late. There should not be any question from our government about what they should and shouldn't do here. It's our home therefore you have come to our territory. Deal with the increasing racism that is developing. If you don't like it, go home. Personally I don't want to deal with you any longer. We should not have to adapt to you, you should be adapting to us.
Learn the language, learn to read english, learn to speak english and then I might start showing you the consideration that you deserve. Until that time, expect a fight cause I have had enough.
