I am so Happy to be a Canadian

I am going to stray a little from my usual social psych posts to let you in on a marvellous book by Globe & Mail journalist Roy MacGregor.  I have read it more than once, but it's one of those books that should be read by everyone who professes to love Canada.  It's title is "Canadians: A Portait of a Country and Its People".

Read Roy MacGregor and remind yourself how lucky you are to be a Canadian.  Read and remember that this country does indeed have a soul. People wait years to get into this country and those of us who were born here just take it for granted more often than not.  MacGregor tells simple stories of real Canadians - mostly ordinary Canadians.  I defy you to read the story of Georges Boudreault and not reach for a tissue.  Actually, if you can get past the introduction without a tissue, you will be a stronger person than I am - I get misty-eyed every time I read it.  And I read MacGregor every time I feel pouty about the taxes I pay. 

MacGregor was one of the journalists covering the cross-country train that carried Pierre Trudeau's body.  All across the country, people showed up to silently pay their respects.  But when the train got to Alexandria, something was different.  Onboard the train, the journalists could hear an unusual sound - it was the sound of ordinary Canadians young and old, old and new, some weeping, all reaching out to touch the train. MacGregor writes: "I do not believe that I have ever heard anything quite so moving as the skin of Canada on the history of Canada".  
I am one of those truly sappy people who is deeply moved by patriotic fervour - you can imagine the 2-week state of euphoria I was in during the 2010 Winter Olympics - Canadians singing the national anthem with gusto several times a day.  Usually I have to go to sporting events in the U.S. to hear "O, Canada" sung with anything approaching emotion.  In fact, 2 years ago my husband, Gord, and I were at a NASCAR race in New Hampshire (OK, are you over the fact that I'm a NASCAR fan - Go Harvick!!).  There was only one Canadian driver in the race (Patrick Carpentier in case you wondered) but at least 30% of the fans were from Canada and so "O, Canada" was included with the "Star-Spangled Banner".  Every Canadian there was singing - loudly  - and many, myself included, were singing the bilingual version.  Same thing happens when we go to NHL games in Buffalo - 50% of the fans are Canadian and "O, Canada" is sung regardless of whether or not there is a Canadian team playing. 

Ever been to a Leafs game or a Sens game and felt overcome by the boistrous singing of our national anthem?  Not likely.  Is it because we are a nation that shuns self-aggrandizement?  Is it that we are all so beaten down by the rigours of everyday life that we lack the energy?  Is it because we, as the highest users of the Internet in the world, can't take our eyes off of our Blackberries and IPhones long enough to sing?  Or is it just that we really don't give a dang??

If you have just finished observing "Earth Hour" by turning off all of your electrically-powered stuff, how about observing "I love Canada" minute - that's about all the time it takes to sing "O, Canada".  Just in case you've forgotten any of the words, here's the bilingual version for you to practice.  And the next time you're at a sporting event and it's played  - sing for all you're worth!

O Canada, our home and native land

True patriot love in all thy sons command

Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
God keep our land glorious and free

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.