Strong and Free

I am prouder of my country than ever, since the Covid19 attack. Every corner I turn in this tragic event seems to reflect a unique trait of Canada, that of  kindness and consideration of  others. That kindness is reflected in countless ways as our land, one that is utterly beautiful in every way, meets the challenges of this pandemic. It is not a political opportunity and shouldn't be, and only a few unthinking sorts have tried to make it so. It didn't work. We are stronger than trivia. The media makes a fine effort, too. It is the media who ensures that the information our government health keepers expend, reaches everyone in a way that makes it easy for the public to understand. Naysayers are mere "noise" as one health official put it. In my small sphere, I have found the government responses  fast and quite adequate.  Blame hunters are always out there, and again, they are but "noise" because no one on earth can predict the depth and scope of such a sudden event. Personally, having made and paid for an extensive trip across Canada, one that went with practical at the time, non-refundable fares, turned out with the pandemic, to be fully refunded. It was a surprise. Not only that, but those returning them, apologised for not being able to make the trips possible. Other businesses that one deals with in the commercial world here in this united country of ours, have been doing the same. They try to meet every need, even when they are losing their businesses and service companies at a sad rate. It shows that they really do care for their customers and what their businesses offer. How refreshing it is to know that it isn't all about money. The politicians of all colours, who admittedly take a lot of flack from us because it's easy to criticise those in public service, continue to do the best for their constituents. They put partisanism aside. Their  high purposes put their own family lives second while they do their work. Their callings require that they listen to everyone even the nasty people who seem to enjoy blaming, often with no plausible reason. The medical, educational, social and transit drivers, the servers, the factory folk and all other workers who come from all places and are Canadians of all backgrounds are affected by this tiny virus that has become our lethal enemy. They, even with this life-threatening danger, are out there helping. Our elders, the ones who put their lives into what we are now, perhaps those who are weak and ill and not able to help themselves, depend on us to care for them and sadly we have let some of them down. Some died alone and with no family to comfort them. Some of the medical teams lost their lives serving others. And while it is a huge abyss suddenly we have been thrown into, we are coming out strong. "Strong and free" is in our blood and our Canadian song and we sing it loudly. While some other countries brag about being "united", we are united and have proven it in this fight. Canada, my country, has my respect and my heart.