Getting to know Canadian culture 

These past few weeks have been steeped in various Canadian cultural and heritage events. As much as we have immersed ourselves in them, I feel like I’m just scratching the surface with my knowledge, and so I won’t go into too much detail. Rather, I want to make a note so that in the future we might look back and remember how we marked these days, and feel proud that our children were part of the learning. I also want to share some small insight into different traditions for anyone from Ireland, or wherever outside of Canada, who may be reading this:

Terry Fox Run

This traditional fundraising run, in honour of its namesake, happens every September in Canada to raise money for cancer research. For anyone that doesn’t already know the history, Terry Fox was only a young man when he was diagnosed with bone cancer and had his right leg amputated. He subsequently decided to run across Canada with a prosthetic leg to raise money for the cause. It was known as the ‘Marathon of Hope’, but after 143 days of running around 26 miles each day, Terry was forced to abandon his run due to the spread of the cancer. His message of hope and courage continues to live on, with Canadians young and old running each year. Like many schools in the country, Grace participated in a Terry Fox run organised by her school, with everyone asked to wear red, and the students learning about it during that week. I was intrigued to hear what Grace would tell me, and sure enough, while at the dinner table one evening she started telling me about this man - ‘Cherry’ Fox - who had a robot leg because he was sick but he ran to be brave. The innocence, but at the same time, comprehension, in her description surprised me! 


Day for Truth and Reconciliation

This year, September 30 marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. It honours the lost children and survivors, families, and communities of residential schools. Everyone is also asked to wear orange on this day, with the orange symbolising the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. The orange shirt originates from the experience of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt, given to her by her grandmother, was taken away from her on the first day of school. As a mother, I found it very hard to read some of the heart-breaking stories, and I can’t even imagine what survivors and generations of families have and are still going through. But I’m thankful that we’re here in Canada, learning and trying to understand, not just for this one day, but for the future, to become more aware of the culture and experiences of the people that surround us.

Canadian Thanksgiving

Until we arrived here, we only thought Thanksgiving existed in the United States. Although a more low key, relaxed celebration here, it was easy to be swept up in the happiness and gratitude of it all. In the days leading up to the Thanksgiving weekend, there was noticeable cheer in people’s voices, everyone seemed in a good mood, and pretty much anywhere I went – leaving shops, doing pickup from school – people would shout “HAPPY THANKSGIVING!” … just like in the movies. (I feel like I caveat a lot of my experiences here with the words ‘just like in the movies’, but it’s true!). And of course, I’m there, practically jumping up and down, shouting it back. With some family living not too far away, we had the chance to celebrate the holiday and sit round the table with Canadians, eating a turkey dinner. And it was delightful.


St. Thomas – the Railway City

We recently took a short trip to the very picturesque St. Thomas, also known as The Railway City. With warm, sunny weather still coming at us I had earmarked Pinafore Park for a lovely, family walk…who was I kidding?! A playground that actually made ME want to climb the heights just to slide down the twisty tube slide meant that the girls had no intention of walking far. Still, it was a nice green space to spend some time in, and if you had the freedom to roam round the outskirts of the park and beyond, you’d find beautiful monuments, and serene places to sit and picnic, or just be at peace for a few minutes.

The Elevated Park was the main attraction on my list: we’d passed the towering, former railway bridge a couple of times before on our way to Port Stanley so I was keen to get up there and take a look around, or down. It did not disappoint. With a wide stretching walkway lined with trees, the stroll onto the bridge is not intimidating. When you get further along, you’re met with a huge, colourful weather vane, and larger than life musical instruments that the kids (and adults), can test out. Although around 100 feet high, the lookout down to the road and across the city isn’t dizzying for those with a fear of heights. And better still, as you’re leaving the Elevated Park it’s just a two-minute walk to see Jumbo the Elephant in plain sight at the top of the hill on the main road. This isn’t a tacky statue or a giant kids’ play toy; in fact, it’s a beautiful memorial of an incredibly sad story, one which we knew nothing about ‘til we visited.

       


I think St. Thomas is somewhat of a hidden gem in Ontario’s Southwest: it’s somewhere people around London have heard of, know someone who lives there, or have driven through on their way to a final destination. But I’m so glad we stopped there on a whim! 


London trail running in fall

I can’t write this blog post and ignore the dazzling changes I’ve noticed since fall has set in. With each run over the past couple of weeks, whether it be the evening or a weekend morning, the leaves have changed colour and coated London’s trails in a blanket of the most vibrant yellows, deepest reds, and chocolate browns. With each step, the crisp sound underfoot almost echoes throughout the forest, and as you look up ahead, the now more naked trees give your eye-line the clearest of views out to the river, or up into the sky to see birds of prey floating high above. I can’t possibly do justice in my description to the feeling it provides when making your way through one of the beautiful forests or woods in this area, whether that’s on a run, a hike, or a leisurely dander. 


When a few of my running companions started joking (or so I thought) about soon using headlamps, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Think MINER. Proper, full on, x amount of lumens headlamp, strapped around your head and adjustable so that you can see farther ahead, or right in front of your step. With the light fading fast when we’re only halfway into our evening runs, I’ve quickly realised that the headlamp is going to be absolutely necessary to continue running into the winter! Still not sure that the howl we heard last week was from coyotes, or just kids playing around. Either way, I plan to run a little bit quicker from now on to make it through the woods!


I still can’t wrap my head around the preparations for winter. Most of October has been pretty mild, even a hot 24 degrees on some days! Yet here I am, reading advertisements for ‘Snow Angels’ – people who volunteer to help clear/plough the drives and paths of those who can’t. And the sheer volume of snow boots, snow suits, SERIOUS sweaters and cold weather gear in all of the shops right now has me panicking, just a little. Surely the change won’t be that drastic…right?