CORNER

When it comes to national pride, we Canadians can be the flag waviest, national anthem singiest, maple leafiest people on the planet. With our willingness to accept new Canadians (rightly or wrongly), we will continue to strengthen that proudness. Ask any Canadian for their top reasons or benefits of being flag waviest or maple leafiest and you will get thousands of different responses. Here are a few of my many different reasons for being a proud Canadian…in no particular order.

Let’s begin with our national anthem. While we continue to change and modernize the actual lyrics, the melody is instantly recognizable, especially when associated with gold medals. I have a new favorite version of O Canada and if you are familiar with the Aboriginal female singing group “Asani” you will surely agree their blending of cultures and 5 Canadian languages (including English and French) make this a special version of a special song. It would be so cool to have this version played when we win more gold medals. That makes me proud. We are becoming a nation of flag wavers. While there are some folks who believe in national modesty, there are many more, like myself, who will wave and display the Maple Leaf at every opportunity, whether the occasion be sad or glad. A few months ago, there was a highway accident involving a hockey team bus that took too many young lives. How my beloved country reacted moved me to tears. I was stirred by the many gestures of respect like “Jersey Day” and “Sticks Out” and was proud to participate, but when I saw a Maple Leaf at half-mast on a hockey stick I broke down and bawled like a baby. A very proud hockey loving Canadian baby. To me nothing says Canada like hockey and after the tragedy, hockey seemed to galvanize and unite not only our country but perhaps the world or at least the hock-