Leave nostalgia to the future generations

“When nostalgia poisons the soul,” (guest column, Jan. 28).

Neil Godbout’s column was interesting and informative. However, I wondered why the Canadian references to restorative nostalgia were always negative and apparently only applied to European settlers.

Would it not be fair to presume that all races and cultures through the ages share equally their acceptance of restorative nostalgia?

Is the implication that “before settler” Canada was perfection restorative nostalgia for some, and reflective nostalgia for others? Does it depend on whose agenda is paramount at any given time?

The final paragraph provides a clear path: make positive choices to deal with the problems at hand.

But — who will make the decisions for which problems — who will judge?

Throughout history, the effects of well-meaning and ill-conceived choices abound.

Future generations will decide which nostalgia they want to apply to choices that are made now.

Eleanor J. Walker, Okanagan Falls