Remembering

Yesterday was a day to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall, today is Sesame Street's 40th birthday and tomorrow is Canadian Remembrance Day. Last year on Nov. 11, I posted something where I reflected on the fallen soldiers. This year I remember them but I also remember the night we were watching the news when my parents sat with their eyes glued to the TV. We watched with amazement, fear and awe as people smashed and ripped away the Berlin wall. I was 10 years old. My dad said, "Well, would you look at that" and my mum was speechless. I also remember around that time, praying for the people in countries far away and thanking God that we lived in a free country. I remember wondering how their lives were any different from my own. What did free mean?
I have been avoiding all conflict surrounding the H1N1 discussion and doing all the research I can. I will say that I am very happy that I live in a 'free' country. My children can be seen by a doctor whenever I want them to go. It is up to me to decide if I will vaccinate my children and no one is forcing me to do (or not do) something I don't agree with. I am in control of my children's health, education and well being. Having lived in other countries, I also appreciate not having to pay their medical expenses even though we don't have any sort of medical plan at all. We also don't have to pay for their dentist/ear/eye appointments or any surgeries that are needed.
Canada isn't perfect and my post one year ago, reflects some of my frustration at our government but it is easier to complain about your own than to hear someone else do the same. I have some frustration at people who are afraid and need vent their anger at their own government and blame someone else. Canada is not a Socialist, Communist country and leaders from other countries are not copying our systems because they are perfect or perfectly sneaky. If anything can be learned about free health care it is that EVERYONE deserves a chance at a healthy well being. Companies do not need to profit from our illness and it is in our human nature to take care of others. What might happen to this world if we actually made absolutely sure that everyday everyone had a place to eat, learn and sleep, and to make sure they knew that not only were we 'praying' for them, but we were doing something about their situation.

While I believe most the of time Facebook is a waste of time, I will admit I go on it and I did take some time today to remember my days of Sesame Street. It is a bit psychedelic which I don't remember! Click here to see my favourite part.

And now after some venting, remembering and nostalgia, my children:

Pumpkin carving turned into pumpkin painting

Eli loves to have his picture taken and then look at it. Oh the joy of digital.

Maetia in the hammock before we took it down for the season :(

He could be a Tim Horton's commercial!

Maetia climbed this ladder to be like Daddy and then Eli did it, over and over.