I'm proud of us!

I'm proud of us, we Canadians. I think we've done a pretty good job in the face of covid-19. I know not everybody does everything they should do, all the time. For the most part though, I think most of us have done the right things in this fight. And, we’re stronger for it!

I think we've done a pretty good job of taking care of each other in this time of covid-19. From the people who are helping us in the hospitals, to the people doing deliveries, to the people fighting in the long-term care homes, to the rest of us just staying home, to everyone supporting Nova Scotians, I think for the most part, we've tried to do the right thing, as we Canadians generally do.

I've been proud to be a Canadian basically my whole life, since I was almost five, when we arrived at Lester B. Pearson, in February in a snowstorm on a DC 8-Stretch jet. That was a long time ago!

I wanted to reach out today and write this article just to be positive in the face of everything that's going on. When we listen to the news, watch politicians trying to make the right decisions, listen to the health professionals who are trying to keep us safe, I know it's got to be stressful. And I'm sure it's more stressful for some of us than others, especially those who are in their places alone or those in long term care facilities or those with loved ones in long term care facilities. Hang in there!

And, so, for all those people trying to do the right thing and for all those people who’re going stir-crazy at home, I wanted to reach out and say I'm proud of us, I’m proud of you! This isn't easy. After we are less susceptible to this virus, things probably aren't going to go back to the way they were, exactly, before the virus. We’ll find a new rhythm.

As we test the waters now, to open up and address some of the other challenges we face, let’s keep others in mind as we all try to settle into new patterns. There will be opportunities to make contributions to others, I hope you seize them.

There will be times when you want an old routine to work and it won’t - try to imagine an open field, or a blank canvas that you can use to envision and write new routines for yourself and others.

The next few months will have tons of possibilities open up. Look for them. Dig into them. See if you are able to detach yourself from the loss of what was and find what could be!

Come on, we’re Canadians, let’s continue to support each other like we have over the last two months! I know we can do it! Let’s continue to be stronger together!