Canadians vs Americans...

Canada beat the US in the Gold Medal Hockey Game in both men's and women's back in 2002.  I was living in Salt Lake City at that time and what I remember about the buildup to that game was walking around in my US jersey boldly stating "See you Sunday!" to any Canadian I stumbled across.    It was all in good fun and I shared a good laugh with many.  One Canadian, however, pulled me aside and said "5-2...remember that score."

Canada beat the US 5-2 that Sunday.

Yesterday, Canadians celebrated their country's 150th anniversary.  I made a quick trip across the border to enjoy some Tim Hortons' as well as a local Canada Day parade.  As I crossed into Canada, I wished the border guard a "Happy Canada Day!" and she responded by handing me a Canadian pin (pictured).

Last night, I was watching the CBC's coverage of celebrations across Canada.  One particular performance that stood out was Gordon Lightfoot's.  Prime Minister Troudeau commented afterwards that Lightfoot had performed on the same stage 50 years ago for Canada's 100th anniversary.  But a second item that stood out was Canadians saying "thanks".

The CBC went across the country and filmed people of various backgrounds saying "Thanks, Canada!" (or "Merci, Canada!" for the Francophones) as well as person after person commenting that what made Canada so great was "Canadians".  There were no "except(s)..." or "but(s)...", just "Thanks!"  We live in divisive times in this country and I wish we could simply say "Thanks, America!" or respond to what makes the USA so great is not "our freedom" or "our rights", but rather each other.

The latter is much harder to do, but I think, to steal a line from Red Green, there's much more wisdom in taking time out to say "we're all in this together."