Oh Canada......

Watching the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics last Sunday made me quite homesick. Actually, watching the Olympics these past few weeks has made me crave Canada and all that it represents. How odd and quite a shocking feeling since I have been accused (on more than one occasion by my loving sisters!) that I am not and never really was Canadian! Proof - during one particular animated 'discussion' when I was asked who the current PM of Canada was (and YES - I knew that Canada didn't have a President!) --- I didn't know! OK - so maybe I wasn't up to speed on my current events, mia culpa! I have lived in the US for the greater part of 20 years --- oh my God, has it really been that long? --- and yes, I have assimilated into the "American way of life" rather smoothly. But now I'm homesick and missing some of the pieces of my old Canadian life.

Of course when I think of Canada and home it is all about my family - I greatly miss everyone -- and didn't think about it too much until I moved south. Lately I've been remembering the times I gave up the opportunity to visit with those people dearest to me just because there's the false belief that they will always be around and there will be time later. And vice versa, how many times has my family been too busy for me? I'm constantly reminded that these connections are so so fragile and so precious and I need to always live in the moment and be more present than I've ever been.

So...where did all this new found Canadian pride come from? As it happens, I am the only person in my family that has moved away - even though Kyle lives in Chicago - he's as Canadian as they come (actually more so!!). My ah-ha moments are many and come to me at the weirdest times --- looking for that little Italian grocery store where - yes - they speak Italian!, worrying about the cost of healthcare, thinking about gun control (and guns out of control!), having the creepy feeling that Big Brother is alive and well, ....... I could go on but you get the picture I'm sure.