Today is Canada Day.  Our country’s 155^th birthday is the perfect day to share a Clutter Tale that celebrates what I love about my adopted homeland. This tale was inspired by something I found in my night table drawers. Seeing the Bible from my Canadian citizenship ceremony in 1985 made me pause and reflect on things I love about Canada.

About Clutter Tales

Clutter Tales is a series where we tell the stories of our lives through our clutter. During my decluttering journey, I found a lot of things that took me back to a different place and time. Instead of casually discarding them, I decided to honour them by telling their story.

Along with my own reflections, this series has featured posts by some of my favourite bloggers. If you’d like to write a guest post for Clutter Tales, please get in touch. I’d love to give you the opportunity to properly thank your clutter by sharing its story too!

Now, on to today’s clutter tale…

Clutter Tale – A proud Canadian

On Friday, May 17, 1985, in Waterloo, Ontario, I took the oath of Canadian citizenship and became a Canadian citizen. As I swore allegiance to the Queen (a bit odd since I was born in England), and pledged to abide by the laws of Canada, I felt proud to become a citizen of one of the greatest nations on Earth. Thirty-seven years later, I still feel that way.

Accepting the good with the bad

Part of any healthy relationship is accepting the good and the bad. I love my adopted homeland and can’t imaging living anywhere else. There’s a lot to celebrate about Canada.

Before I go any further, though, I want to acknowledge the negative side of our country’s history. Last year, on Canada Day, I wrote about the residential schools and the horrendous treatment of Indigenous peoples in Every Child Matters – A Canada Day reflection for 2021. It’s a part of our history that we cannot ignore.

We can’t erase history, nor do I believe we should. As a nation, we must reflect on the past, listen to and try to understand each other, and find a way to move forward together.

10 things I love about Canada

Despite our history and our current challenges, I still believe Canada is one of the world’s great nations. Here’s why…

• Canada is blessed with magnificent landscapes. From the rocky Atlantic shores, to the vast prairie provinces, to the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the frozen tundra of the Arctic, you would need five lifetimes to take it all in.
• As diverse as our landscapes is the wildlife that inhabits our country. Polar bears, killer whales, snowy owls, Canada Geese and thousands of other species call Canada home.
• While no-one would put Canada at the top of the list of world cuisine, I can’t imagine life without uniquely Canadian delicacies like poutine, butter tarts, maple syrup, ketchup chips and Crispy Crunch bars.
• Our social programs are far from perfect, but I love that Canada has a track record of looking after its people.
• My cancer experience served as a great reminder of the value of our public healthcare system. I received exceptional care and didn’t have to fear a large bill at the end of it all.
• Canada has given the world some of its greatest innovations—the telephone, Insulin, and the Canadarm are just three examples of the many inventions Canada has shared with the world.
• Our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of expression and the right to equality. Gay, straight, white, black, male, female, non-binary, Muslim, Christian—all are welcome here.
• Canada is one of the most multicultural nations on Earth. Embracing and celebrating the nations that make up our mosaic makes us richer.
• Our military has played an important role in peacekeeping in some of the world’s most troubled nations.
• Finally, Canadians are generally liked and respected around the world.

Let’s wear the maple leaf with pride

When I travel, I’m as proud to wear the maple leaf as I was when I took the oath of citizenship in 1985.

In 2022, our flag has been hijacked by a tiny group of overly-vocal right wing extremists who desecrate it and fly it in the name of “freedom”. This Canada Day, I urge all Canadians to take back our flag. Wear your maple leaves and fly your Canadian flags with pride. We have much to be proud of.  

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I hope you enjoyed this installment of Clutter Tales. Please get in touch if you’d like to write a guest post for Clutter Tales. I’d love to give you the opportunity to properly thank your clutter by sharing its story too!

What makes you proud of your country? Tell me your stories below.