Ottawa Women's March

It's a week since women all over the world took part in marches. I wrote about the day in a piece which was posted on the Ottawa Citizen site yesterday. The turnout in Ottawa, as in other cities, was way more than anticipated. It seemed that people, of all ages, sexes and backgrounds were grateful to have some sort of manner in which to display their frustration, worry and anger over the recent U.S. election. It's hard to summarize their many reasons for marching. The mood was surprisingly upbeat as marchers enjoyed the large, spontaneous gathering and creative signs. Last week at my local community centre a neighbour came over and proudly whipped out her iPad to show me her photos of the Ottawa March. She's in her eighties. Here's a photo of my favourite sign from that day.

Streep's Golden Globe speech said it all

     

The Ottawa March ended at The Bronson Centre, site of my former high school.

Thank You Obama Family

Yes, I know...I'm a corny, sentimental person. Here is my humble offering, on inauguration day. It's the contents of a letter I sent to the Obama family last month.

 Dec 10, 2016

Dear Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha

As your time in the White House comes to an end I would like to thank you for your service over the past eight years. You may think that unusual, coming from a Canadian. Perhaps it can be explained by something that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s father, Pierre, said many years ago: “ Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant…. one is affected by every twitch and grunt.”

I’m a 63-year-old grandmother who has been interested in politics since high school - mostly Canadian, but also yours. I’ll never forget my grade 10 year. It was 1968, with the gigantic losses of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. When I first child was born, my doctor told me he was going home to dig a bomb shelter in his backyard. That was November 4, 1980  - the day of Reagan’s election. We care what happens in your country.

Malia and Sasha, thank you for sharing your parents with all of us. Eight years is a long time to live in such a public environment. I hope that you have enjoyed lots of special perks while there. Michelle, thank you so much for all your hard work and tremendous example as a dedicated parent, champion of many worthwhile causes and public speaker . Your quote “When they go low, we go high” will live forever. I was fortunate to watch much of the Democratic National Convention last summer. Your speech and many of those speeches restored my faith in the goodness of the American people. You and your family are a class act.

President Obama, if only your time as president and Justin Trudeau’s time as Prime Minister had overlapped a bit longer. I think both of our countries might have benefitted from your relationship. I will never forget your inauguration and the joy and hope of that time. No, it didn’t all work out, but thank you for all that you have done and all that you tried to do. You have worked diligently and shown leadership in many areas like healthcare and environmental protection.

I’ve always enjoyed your speeches, both long and short. Your thoughtful, insightful calm manner is reassuring and inspiring. Your sense of humor has also been appreciated. In times of disaster and tragedy you’ve demonstrated great empathy to those who are suffering. You will be missed.

Many Canadians are great admirers of yours. Thanks for visiting Canada and speaking on Parliament Hill. You and your family are always welcome here. I wish you all a wonderful future as you embark on this next chapter of your family’s journey.

 With gratitude and admiration,

Mary Ellen Kot

#beccatoldmeto

(Updated on February 1st)

It has taken me a long time to get on the twitter bandwagon. Finally, I have taken the plunge and it's all because of a teenager in Riverview N.B. named Becca Schofield. This remarkable person, who has terminal brain cancer, has put a surprising item on her bucket list. She is asking people to perform acts of kindness in her honour and then post it to social media using #beccatoldmeto. I was so moved when I saw her story on January 14th. Watch it here on CTV .

The next morning at our church, in the children's homily, they were asked, "How will people know that you have Jesus in your heart? " Again the challenge, the lesson, to treat people with kindness and generosity.

It was a lovely coincidence. On the way home from church, in the car, we listened to an item called The Kindest Cut on CBC's The Sunday Edition. It's about a group called the Street Thug Barbers who give free haircuts to street people in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Again, it was inspiring to hear their story. I found this trio of kindness messages, in less than a day, to be a soothing way to start this historic (inauguration) week.

I like to think that I try to treat my family and friends with kindness, but how well do I treat the strangers who I encounter? If it makes a difference to Becca Schofield, if her knowing that some of us are thinking of her and being inspired by her, if that gives her joy, then let's do it. This world needs all the kindness it can get.

Keep Calm and Carry On

At last, I'm back. So many things to think and write about, especially this week. The inauguration is uppermost in so many minds, along with the fear of what may come. However, my mood started off better today, thanks to an interview I heard with Canada's outgoing U.S. ambassador, Bruce Heyman. He and all politically appointed ambassadors were forced to resign by inauguration day. Now you would think he would sound angry, bitter or fearful. Not this guy. His attitude was reminiscent of Obama's. He was calm, thoughtful and diplomatic. He did not stoop to criticism or negative language. He tried to reassure the listeners.

If he can behave in such a manner, then it's a good reminder for me to try and focus on the positives. We're hearing way more from the other direction. I am so grateful to have heard Obama's farewell address. It was a privilege for all of us to have the opportunity to listen to such an orator. My award for feistiness, wit and intelligence goes to Meryl Streep. Her  speech at The Golden Globes was truly inspirational. On with the struggle!