In the late 1940, my parents immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands after the Second World War.
They wanted to move here because of the freedom they would have and how nice Canadians were.
Respect for Canada, they always had, as it was Canadian soldiers who set the Dutch free from the Nazis.
Mom always told us as kids, we would never want to live through a war and to be grateful we lived in Canada.
If I look at other countries, I am grateful to live in a country where we can do so much of what we want.
After going through a scary health issue with my daughter, I just drove to the hospital and she was looked after. It was covered by universal health care, at no cost to me.
There are countries that do not have this luxury, yet we complain about the health-care system. Whether it be slow or not, we have one.
We can purchase many products. We simply drive to the store or order online. We have that choice.
When I get up in the morning, I simply flip a switch and the lights turn on. I walk to the tap and have running water to make my coffee. I go to the fridge and get cold cream for my coffee, and I throw bread in my electric toaster.
Once breakfast is done, we turn on another tap to take a fresh shower.
There are children who walk to a filthy puddle to drink water, they bathe in rivers consumed with garbage, and have no clue what power is all about.
We buy fresh produce and plant gardens. We butcher a steer or chickens for our freezer. There is never a lack of food here in Canada.
Our clothing is name brands and when we no longer like them, we send them off to the thrift store or maybe they go overseas to people who do not care what The Gap is. They have something to wear.
We have our eyes tested regularly and if we need stronger glasses we get them, while our old ones again are sent to countries that do not have this kind of equipment.
Schools are available for young and old, male or female. We have a right to an education, yet there are places where education is not accessible.
As a female, I can dress the way I want. I can wear a dress, pants or shorts, and nothing will be said, but for some women this is not permitted. They are not recognized as equal.
We have rights. We have the right to vote. We have the right to have free speech. There are still countries where this right is non-existent.
We have cell phones, computers, iPads, televisions, texting and emails. We can go out when we choose to have supper in a nice restaurant.
Travelling to anywhere in Canada with no questions is another opportunity and experience that people dream of in other countries.
Do we have a right to complain? Is it people’s nature to complain because they have always had so much?
Maybe we should look at how well we live, and how much freedom we have and enjoy life.
Yes, there are issues in Canada that need to be dealt with, and hopefully in time they be fixed in the next election.
There will be Canada Day celebrations across the country on July 1. Every place will be different. Some will have food and live music. Games may be set up and the social with neighbours will be great, as people attend the bright colourful display of fireworks high in the sky. It will be time to celebrate.
Maybe we should all step back and smell the roses, and be grateful for the country that we live in that offers us freedom.
