Remember Thanks, Remember Peace

This November holds memorable experiences punctuated by fluctuations of cold temperatures and sunny days. Unusual for the normally overcast southwest coast of Canada.

The first half of my life I lived in the US and the second has been in Canada. It isn’t always easy to straddle these two great nations of North America, one foot in each. Longest non-militarized border in the world lies between. Largest trading partners in the world. More alike than different, yet there are differences in values and history.

Two holidays bookmark each end of the month.

Early November on the 11th to be exact is Remembrance Day in Canada. Poppies, wreaths and cenotaphs at Legions across the land where people gather to honor the fallen.

During my recent travels in Scotland and Northern Ireland I learned a lot about battles and the Celtic long memory of injustices. Age after age, location after location the stories and songs recount skirmishes and strife. But many are weary of this legacy and long for peace – the peace found in nature and the elements so eloquently found in this Celtic poem:

Deep Peace of the running waves to you.

Deep Peace of the flowing air to you.

Deep Peace of the quiet earth to you.

Deep Peace of the shining stars to you.

On 11 at 11, I walked the labyrinth. Four jet fighters flew above from north to south. A clear, sunny morning. No eagle songs. Remember peace is what I heard in the silence. Remember Peace.

And at the end of the month – today – November 28th, American Thanksgiving. It was the favorite holiday of my youth where I grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and High Plains of Wyoming. A feast where the leftovers are as good (some say better) as the main meal. Then off to the mountains for three days of skiing. Bliss.

I’ll call family and friends today and remember the smells, tastes, laden tables, warmth and camaraderie of the day. Memories to be thankful for.

Remember thanks, remember peace.