We Are Canadian!

Last Saturday night, when most people were out socializing and then sleeping, Donald Trump was posting. He posted on his social media feed at 11:18 pm, at 12:33 am. 3:16 am, 4:54 am, 5:27 am, and 6:07 am. The posts were rants, and boasts and lies, all documented by journalists.

As we watch the US implode before our eyes, worsening every day, it seems wise to ignore this and to consider the future of Canada instead. Losing our closest neighbour has been a heartbreak that we can see and hear and read about through the advancement of technology. The world changes by the minute as our cell phones buzz and beep with new information from across the globe. Unmanned drones fly overhead, while state-of-the-art submarines and new fighter jets are on Canada’s next year’s budget. But do we need to know all of this?

How can we as older individuals possibly plan for, or even think about, the chaotic future we are seeing? I guess we could reminisce about the past; all all the times we went to Buffalo to shop, and then sneak back across the border wearing 2 dresses or shirts, and brand new shoes that we had scuffed up a bit. Or we could look at our photos of winter trips to Florida along with our families, sitting on beaches while the grandchildren made sandcastles. Another option is to read fiction where writers speculate on the future; stories like the Handmaid’s Tale or Stephen King or Ian McEwan’s new book, What We Can Know. Then we could start building bunkers in our back yards, stock up on prescription drugs, buy extra pairs of glasses, and spend time inside away from crowds and street festivals. And wait for the end.

But there are other choices for us. Here are a few that I can suggest: First, spend quality time with those we love. Buy those Cirque du Soleil tickets that cost a fortune and take our grandchildren to see it. Meet a vegan friend at a vegan restaurant and order a new dish like shashimi or miso something and ask the waiter for chopsticks to eat with. Invite another couple to go for a walk through the trails of High Park, even the ones with hills. Take a bus through major traffic disruption on the QEW to visit childhood friends, even though the trip is longer than the visit.

Second, show your pride in Canada for everyone to see. Fly a flag somewhere on your property. Sing at the top of your lungs when Oh Canada is played at a sports event, even if you’re in your own living room. Buy Canadian food: Alberta beef, Nova Scotia lobster, PEI potatoes. If you must visit COSTCO, buy Canadian products there. Go to Simon’s or another Canadian store and purchase some red tops to enhance your wardrobe. Cheer on the Blue jays even if they are on a losing streak.

Third: stay healthy. Eat Canadian fresh produce like strawberries, cherries and asparagus. yummy. Take a walk along Martin Goodman trail, near the shore of Lake Ontario. Participate in an exercise class, available at most local community centres. Or visit cottage country in Muskoka and Haliburton where trees flourish, lake sparkle and the night stars are bright.

And most important: connect with as little world “news” as possible. Only make an exception for Mark Carney because, when he speaks, he speaks from the heart and with integrity and knowledge. As for Donald Trump, his chaotic world will continue to spin, whether we watch or not.

Sue