I Am Canadian.

I am Canadian and proud of it. I live in a country of awesome people. We are strong and free. We are proud and brave. And we shine from sea to sea. I am not talking about our leaders or our history, politics or religion....I mean the spirits of Canadians.

The Indigenous Canadian whose elders lived here long before any of ours were blessed to immigrate or settle here. Those who have faced (and continue to face) adversities, trials,abuses, injustices and prejudices no one else could begin to truly understand. Today more than 140 First Nation communities do not have clean water. (http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/03/21/safe-drinking-water-canad_n_15528554.html ).

These communities face a mental health crisis to an even greater degree than everywhere else and yet the individuals in them are strong, brave, talented, resourceful, spiritual, giving and pull together with a force and strength that carries them through each day. The youth in these communities face more loss in their childhood than most of us could face in 100 years and yet they are bright, caring, talented, artistic, strong, courageous, inspiring young men and women who can inspire the world if given the chance, who will change the world if given the time. I am proud to be surrounded by such amazing Canadians. Despite 1000s of their loved ones being lost to suicide, addiction, murder or still missing while they seem to have no voice, they fight daily to be truly heard and yet they still stand strong and brave and shine.

I love the spirit of the Canadians who have deep heritage in other lands, who take pride in their ancestors struggle to journey to this cold and unknown land. Not truly knowing what they would face when they got here or if they would ever see their families again. My grandfather came over from Ireland in his early 20's leaving his parents and life behind. We all have ancestors who found that strength and courage We celebrate the lives they built and the generations they provided for as their legacies continue to be built.

There are the Canadians who are their first generation. They have found the courage and strength to seek out a life in this amazing country to build a better life for their families. They bring skills, knowledge, talents and experience that enriches and makes Canada an even more awesome place to be. They will be part of our Canadian Legacy.

I see legacies of kindness, charity, unconditional love and resilience. Empathy and passion for helping one an other. We don't always know what to do to make it right but we try to do the right thing. I sometimes get overwhelmed with how much there is to do, and don't know how to truly make a difference. But I never give up trying to make a difference in my own little way. I learned that from the people who surround me. That is what Canada is to me. I celebrate Canadians who love when it's hard to love and give when they have nothing to give. Not every one is like that....trust me there are the hard, cold, mean ones too. But we meet them with love too and no matter how many jerks or cruel people do horrible things....The true Canadian Spirit wins out.

We don't have a perfect country. Lots of problems, worries, mistakes will always be there but one day at a time we try to make our country just a little more proud, a little more awesome, a little more loving, a little more Canadian.