OUR CANADIAN HIGHWAY OF HEROES WILL GET 117,000 TREES

To honour our Canadian veterans who died in conflicts over the years, a stretch of the 401-Macdonald-Cartier- highway in Ontario from Trenton to Toronto is called the Highway of Heroes. Whenever a fallen Armed Forces person returns to Canada their body is brought along that stretch to the Coroner's office in Toronto. Ordinary citizens, police, firemen will line all the bridges along the way with flags and hands across hearts. Often they wait for hours for the hearse and cavalcade of cars carrying the family and others to proceed. Cars on the highway will pull over to the right to allow the the procession to pass peacefully.  A wonderful salute. It was announced that over the next few years 117,000 trees will be planted along this wonderful route to honour our fallen. Remembering is always important! The families and friends will always know their loved ones will be honoured. Canadians are a quiet bunch but we do love and care for our country men and women from all over this beautiful nation! Lest we forget!

HELPING IN A CRISIS

As we watch the flood cleanup in Alberta, we are reminded how vulnerable we all can be. During any time of crisis, there are so many that want to help. Seeing our Armed Forces lending support and manpower as well as unaffected neighbours and friends reassures that people do care. However, be careful not to say insensitive things. One woman on TV returning to her home was told " it was just Stuff!". She reminded us "it's my stuff and I just want to go home!" She said " we wanted hard for that stuff!" Yes people are glad to be alive and be able to go on. But stuff destroyed in any tragedy belongs to someone. We all have emotional attachments to stuff and in particular our homes! The best help we can give is a monetary donation to our favourite relief charity. Over the years I have just donated to the Canadian Red Cross. In other flood situations in Manitoba and now Alberta it is an organization that is on the ground. There will be volunteers heading out from Ontario to help with cleanup too from many organizations as well as other service providers. I know our Ontario Hydro has reciprocal agreements with the States and other provinces to help in a crisis so not sure if some will be heading west. So as we find out more about what they need then help can be given. No one and no where is free from any of the stories making the press today! I know I am in tornado country! Our thoughts and prayers go out to those in the west as well as other parts of the world suffering today.

A POSTCARD FROM OUR ARMED FORCES

Since 1991, I have been writing our members of our Armed Forces wherever they are serving in the world. After September 11th, only postcards- not closed letters or parcels were allowed to any Canadian Services members. Families, of course, could send their gifts to their loved ones.

I find the locations through the National Defense site. All mail goes to the Canadian address before it is shipped overseas. My letters printed on festive paper with the address of the location is folded in half and taped so they can be scrutinized.
Over the years the responses from some of the personnel are my treasures. Our family is always thanked and often a little personal information is shared. Knowing first hand what the mission entails is always very interesting.
From Bosnia to Timor to Afghanistan to Golan Heights to Sierra Leone to Haiti- to name a few- messages and greetings have been exchanged. Sometimes a picture is even sent. Lots of school children now send letters so their correspondence is usually answered.

Sometimes our family letter is answered because the person lived in Barrie or East York, feeling a connection to us. There is still time to send an email to our troops. Just go into the National Defense site and follow the links. If not raise a glass on Christmas Day, to honour them!
If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.

DO WE APPRECIATE DEMOCRACY?

No matter what we may think of individual politicians, Canada is a democratic country. As events continue to unfold in other parts of the world as people are craving their regimes to be over by demonstrating in the streets, do we as Canadians appreciate the freedoms we have? We can vote or not! As many people chose to stay home and not vote in all levels of government- a freedom that many in other nations desire. Our laws are exemplary and protect us. Our police and armed forces are there for us. We women have had the vote since 1917 and have not looked back. What freedoms do you cherish? What do you feel about our democracy? Do you love being a Canadian as I do? What are your thoughts?

OUR HIGHWAY OF HEROS

Again today another fallen Canadian soldier travelled the Highway of Heros in the GTA( Greater Toronto Area). He was killed in Afghanistan on foot patrol- Steve Martin from Quebec. To honour our heros a stretch of highway on the 401 between Trenton and Toronto was given this designation. It is a grass roots movement of ordinary Canadians, firemen, police who line the bridges overlooking the highway to pay their respect and show the families we care as the cavalcade passes along the highway. Cars move over to make room for it. The Cars on the other side of the highway will honk, slow down to honour our loved one. When one of our Armed Forces member dies, all families across this country feel their pain. Other people wait at the Coroner's office in Toronto to give support to the families there. Hopefully, today will be the last time it will occur. Rest in peace! Canada is grateful for your sacrifice. Sorry for the Loss!

CHRISTMAS STORIES

This time of year brings out all the stories. The happy, the sad, the tragic, the inspirational and just the ordinary moments of the season. When we hear of an accident, the feeling and remarks of what a terrible time of year to have that happen- as if a tragedy in the summer is any less tragic.

Working in a hospital, we are always trying to get patients home or many of them just want to go home even if not well enough. People are more generous as the boxes of cookies, chocolates and other seasonal goodies are piling at every Nursing Station and staff room.

The toy drives, the food hampers by community groups and churches allow all of us to reach out to others less fortunate and share what we have. Many dinner tables will have some guests that are "strays" as they do not have anywhere else to go- so please join us for Christmas dinner, Italian Christmas Eve Seafood dinner, Boxing Day or New Year's. No one should be alone!!!

Our hearts go to the Armed Forces as another beautiful, caring young man loses his life in our country. Travellers stranded in Europe, just wanting to get home for Christmas. So hold off on opening gifts and have your time a few days later to accomodate those who did not make it for the real day. Emails, phone calls, facebook messages, texting will increase over the next few days and of course some last minute shopping to add to the hectic stress of this last week. I always have a few extra gifts stored just in case something comes to my attention that someone needs them. Oh Christmas with all its stress, tears, laughter, family crabbing, love, joy, the excitement of little children wanting to know what Santa will bring- what would life be without it! The pressure we put on ourselves. Then the quiet moments by the Christmas tree, sipping a favourite beverage and eating some sweets- perhaps watching a favourite Christmas movie, listening to music or just enjoying the peace of home and family. What are your Christmas stories? What brings a tear to your eye? What brings laughter? Who are you missing? Who are you welcoming to your home?

WEAR YOUR POPPY PROUDLY

We wear the poppy to remember those who served our country and those who are serving now. Do we realize 152 have died in the mission in Afghanistan? Young men and women serving their country. Let us also reflect on those who have been injured and urge the VA to provide proper compensation to those individuals. My grandfather Ernie Ellis served in World War I. My Dad served in World War II along with other members of my family and family friends. My niece's husband Jim served twice in Afghanistan. Thank you to all who have been dedicated to protecting our freedoms and helping others in the world. Do you know someone who served for our country? Will you stop and reflect on what that sacrifice means?