Canada is a gloriously, wonderful place to live. I am so very grateful for the many things it has to offer its Citizens, of which I am proud to say I am one.
Over the years I’ve driven from one end of this Country to the other. I’ve laid on the sands of Long Beach, BC and watched the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. I grew up surrounded by the raw, unspoiled nature of Newfoundland where my passion for natural beauty began. I’ve seen some of the most amazingly beautiful places in our Country. I’ve tasted most of its multicultural, flavorful fare and gratefully experienced most of Canada’s natural pleasures. If you haven’t experienced this country yet then maybe that’s a vacation you should seriously consider. You’d be amazed by the splendor and simplicity our Nation offers within its borders. The possible experiences that lay before you are endless and the memories you could earn can comfort you throughout your life. My memories comfort me daily.
As my body betrays me, limiting my daily activities, I sit back and remember the places I’ve been and the things I’ve seen. I remember how I closed my eyes in that amazing moment in time, digesting all of the sounds and smells surrounding me, while my imagination developed a snap shot of that exact moment. Thank god for my gift of creativity; it gives me the power to envision my surroundings and relive the moment better than any photo ever could.
I remember being able to walk without pain. I remember the feeling of climbing over wet, ocean sprayed rocks softly enclosed in layers of cushioning moss. I remember how strong I felt as my body moved to compensate for every angle, twist and turn; I remember doing it all without even a hint of fear.
I can close my eyes and feel the soft decaying Newfoundland soil under my feet as I walked through the bush that surrounded my home. I remember the smell of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean every time I walked out my door and the freshness of the trees and earth after a light summer rain. I remember loving and valuing every moment and feeling the pride of knowing I am part of that land. No matter where I go in the world, I am and always will be a Newfoundlander, and a Canadian. Now all I can do is sit here, remember and write about it, bringing it all back to life in my head and my words. It’s a pleasure that gives me a way out of the painful, frustrating life I live now.
But I assure you, I have not and will not give up my dreams, or even the dream of the experiences I still hope to have in the future. I will always fight for the solutions to my illness that will provide the opportunity to get back to the things I love. While I wait I’ll just remember what I’ve been lucky enough to experience in my past and look forward to what is yet to come.
