My Country, My Home, My Canada

On Canada's 147th birthday, I once again celebrate our beautiful nation through some of my favourite images from the past twelve months.   Copyright to all photos is held by the author of this blog; do not copy images without permission.   Sharing the link via facebook or other social media is permitted.

My Country, My Home, My Canada

(c) Jean Ballard, 2014.

There are few places on earth that can match Canada's rich and diverse mix of people and places, of climates and landscapes, of flora and fauna.  And though this is not my 'native' land - for, like many Canadians, I am an immigrant - Canada is certainly my home.  This is where I belong. And this is my tribute to my beloved country on this its 147th birthday.   

My country, my home, my Canada, glorious and free - 

Though you are sometimes referred to as "The Frozen North", we Canadians know the beauty of all your seasons, 

from spring flowers in February 

And the honeysuckle that creeps along the fence in March

The plethora of birds and blooms  in summer

And the early morning mists of fall.

We've seen the reflections of your sun on an ice-covered roof 

And felt the bite of your breath on a cold winter's day.

My country, my home, my Canada, 

We've watched your oceans when the fog rolls in

And gazed at your mountain tops that reach to the sky.

We've taken in the beauty of your lakes and streams

And felt awe within your forests. 

My country, my home, my Canada, 

We know your inhabitants, the people and critters, sentient beings all.  We are a diverse lot, we Canadians, and we share our talents in diverse ways

From the artists

to the farmers

and the fishers and the hunters.

They are all part of my country, my home, my Canada.

With friends and families and community members

as we look to the future,

And reflect on our past

May we aim to be strong when resources are scarce,

To protect our environment,

To nurture that which nurtures us,

To reduce, reuse, recycle where we can,

For Canada is our future, our home, for generations to come. 

The young 

and the old

Life of all kinds, 

 No matter our endeavors, 

or energies or abilities, 

Life is to be enjoyed, 

My country, my home, my Canada, 

here we can sing our own songs, 

And chase our own dreams,

And be proud of our achievements,

And if we sometimes fall on our face

or hide  in the shadows,

Or see destruction where others see progress

And if sometimes our world feels upside down

And we think the grass is greener on the other side

We'll shake ourselves off

Stand tall,

And our world will soon right itself.

If we stick together 

And share with others

Heading in the same direction, 

Sharing the path,

despite our differences

And if some lead that others may follow, 

And grab the brass ring (or even an old wooden stick)

And even if the way is sometimes obscured, 

Together we can reach magical places

Because this is Canada, our country, our home. 

From sunrise to sunset, from ocean to ocean to ocean.

We are Canadians
And you, Canada, are our beloved home.

Happy Canada Day.