Thanksgiving Day

Image via Wikipedia

Our Parliament buildings are a symbol of our democratic system of government.

I'm thankful that that we are free to express ourselves politically, artistically and spiritually.

I'm thankful for the Canadian men and women who have fought for freedom. I am thankful for those who are in a war zone at this time. I am especially grateful to those who have given their lives.

These names can be found on the walkway that leads to the memorial at the Fonthill Legion.

When there is an emergency in North Pelham the men from the Fire Station #3 arrive before anyone else. Through snow and ice storms and in the dead of night they are there when we need them.

I'm thankful for the men and women who work in fire departments and I'm especially thankful for those who are volunteers.

I'm thankful to the police officer who responded when my car skidded on an icy road early one morning and I went spinning into a ditch.  I'm thankful to the police officers who came to the school when we had children in crisis.

I'm thankful knowing that if I  need them, they will be there.

The faces of angels.

These are four of the workers who helped care for my mom in her terrible struggle with Alzheimer's. I asked them to stand as representatives of all the people who care for and love the elderly and the dying.

I am truly thankful for all health care providers.

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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, everyone!

Depends on our Police

Of all the comments and questions I heard about the G20 Summit the only one that I spent much time wondering about was when a friend asked me whether I thought the police officers were wearing Depends.

I remembered watching the news clips that showed them arriving by the bus load in Toronto. Dark clad, unsmiling people turning away from the cameras, bending down to pick up their kits then heading into the hotel. I imagined the frightening items that were in those kits - batons, guns, tear gas, gas masks, pepper spray, shields, helmets.

The idea that a package of adult diapers might have been tucked inside each kit never crossed my mind.

But somehow, as funny as the question was, it did something for me. It humanized the police officers who were charged with keeping the peace for those two days in Toronto.

I didn't like what I saw in Toronto - especially that scene at Queen and Spadina.

I didn't like the way the 'temporary' law came into being.

I do believe we need to have an inquiry into the events.

I do not, however, believe that in Canada the police are the enemy.

I think we need to keep that in mind.