Dear President Obama

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Barack Obama, building community, community, compassion, courage, democracy, doing the right thing, health care, hope, human rights, humanity, Hump Day Chronicles, integrity, kindness, laughter, leadership, life, Michelle Obama, passion, thank you, tolerance, USA, world issues

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016, for a state dinner. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Just a quick note to thank you and Michelle for being great examples of what leadership should look like.

I want to thank you both for all you did, and tried to do to make the United States and the world a more tolerant and safe and inclusive place. For ensuring that more folks had access to health care, for bringing hope to whole communities that had no hope before, for making tough choices, and patiently with humility, building solid relationships on the world stage.  And most of all, for doing it with the poise, dignity, passion, integrity, compassion and sense of humour that should be the norm for any person who occupies a position of power.

No single person is perfect, or always gets everything right, but I believe that you did the best you could within the choices you had, and I for one, felt that I could breathe a little easier, even from way over here in Canada.

I wish you and Michelle all the very best and I know that you will continue to make a significant mark in whatever challenge you take on next.

Well done and thanks again,

Diana Schwenk, Alberta, Canada

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

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Happy Thanksgiving USA, With Love, Canada

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Canada, Canadian National Anthem, Diana Schwenk, Gratitude, Happy Thanksgiving, neighbours, O Canada, Pittsburg Penguins, thankful, USA, world issues

We may not always see eye-to-eye.

And often we playfully tease each other.

But when the poop hits the fan, we’re there for each other.

I was recently reminded of this when a Canadian soldier was shot in Ottawa.

President Obama assured Canadians that America would stand with us.

American citizens offered their support and condolences.

On a personal level, many of my American friends offered their sympathy and support.

So as you sit around your tables tomorrow surrounded by loved ones and declaring your thankfulness, know that your Canadian brothers and sisters are raising a glass to you in grateful expression.

Happy Thanksgiving USA. May our friendship and mutual support endure forever.

The video below still brings a tear to my eye when I watch it.

Before a hockey game in Pittsburg between two American teams, O Canada is sung in support of Ottawans and Canadians across the country in response to the shooting of an unarmed Canadian soldier standing guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

May God bless our southern neighbours this Thanksgiving season. We love you!

Dear USA: Happy Thanksgiving…with love, Canada

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Canada, Diana Schwenk, family, forgiveness, humour, Hump Day Chronicles, love, Relationships, Thanksgiving, USA

Photo credit: perhumanresources.blogspot

After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations – Oscar Wilde

As you know, Canada had Thanksgiving in October and the food was great but it was the company that was truly outstanding!

Sure some people picked at their plates and others were still angry about that thing that happened forever ago, but when we sat around the table to eat, all that yesterday stuff was forgotten. We ate. We were thankful. There was love.

So yeah, I know you are anxious about Thanksgiving dinner but as you can see it turns out ok, so you can relax and loosen your grip on that knife!

I wish I could be there with you! I know, I know, we’ve had our quarrels about who invented hockey and basketball – Canada did – but that’s not the point. The point is we are thankful for you, our neighbours south of the 49th parallel and the further south you are, the better. And if you invite us over during winter, we’re even more thankful!

But I digress. You’re family. You’re like our big brother and we know your occasional jabs at us are your way of saying you love us too. And we know we can be a little pesky at times like little siblings do. However, Thanksgiving is a time when we lay all that aside.

It’s a time to reflect on, and be grateful, for family, friends and all the little blessings in our lives. So we raise our glasses to you with warm thoughts in our hearts and prayers for your health and joy on our lips.

So while you celebrate Thanksgiving and enjoy your meal, know that we are thinking of you and wondering why you didn’t invite us for dinner.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Happy Thanksgiving USA!

*Sorry Alaska. We do not mean to offend you by seemingly not acknowledging that you are indeed north of us, but your location really messes with our whole ‘south of the 49th parallel’  schtick.*