For Maddie: The Legend of the Birch Tree

This Anishinaabe (Ojibwa) legend is fitting for today...   

Long ago, a boy was born into a nice family. Before he could walk, a ceremony was held in his honor; a naming ceremony.

He was given the name Wiigwaas. Wiigwaas was given many gifts from the creator. One of those gifts was to help others in a good way. He not only helped his father hunt and fish, he also helped his mother pick wild berries and tend the garden. He helped the elderly not only in his village, but in other villages. He would help make canoes and houses.

When he became a young man, he had to go to battle. In this battle he lost his life. His brothers brought his body home and buried him after they held a farewell ceremony. He was buried in pure white buckskin on a hill just beyond his village.

The following spring his people noticed that a little tree began to grow at the site of his grave. As this tree grew tall a dream came to the father of Wiigwaas. In this dream he was told that Wiigwaas was still able to help his people and the dream showed him how...

"In the springtime, you can take the sweet sap from him to make syrup; you can peel the bark off to fashion containers for keeping food and eating; you can make canoes and you can use the bark to make lodges; you can make boxes and baskets. From the strong wood you can make daabaagan, sleighs and lodges. You can make fires so the people can keep warm and cook food".

So, even in his death, Wiigwaas is still helping his people.

Today, I remember Maddie. A tiny little girl with an incredibly big personality, who captured many hearts and inspired teems of thousands in her short life. Even now, she continues to do so, and I believe in my heart that Maddie, like Wiigwaas will continue to touch lives.

I feel blessed to honour her today.

You are missed Maddie.

Lest We Forget...

It's Remembrance Day in Canada. A day that is dedicated to remembering and being grateful to the countless men and women that lost their lives in past and far too recent battles, defending the values and democracy that define the country I am proud to call my own.

As with every other Remembrance Day for as far back as I can remember, I am wearing a poppy on my left breast. I purchased this one, like all the others in years past from a veteran. When he thanked me, I replied with "no, thank YOU". As I do every year at the eleventh hour on this eleventh day of the eleventh month, I will stand for two minutes in silence and remember both of my grandfathers and remember to be grateful to them and all other soldiers for the life and freedoms I enjoy yet far too often take for granted.

Some years I shed a tear, some years I don't.

When I was young I struggled to find meaning in this day. I realized it was important to honour my Country and our history, but it always felt like just that: history. In the past couple of decades or so, as wars rage in the Middle East and as terrorism has played a starring role in some of the most horrific moments of current events; my present, our present... Remembrance Day has held a deeper meaning and I am sadly, yet paradoxically happy in my awareness of the importance of this day. We're supposed to remember so we don't repeat history. Lest we forget...

Today is also a day of remembrance for someone very special. Madeline Alice Spohr. Madeline should be turning two today. Today should be a day of celebration, cake and presents. Instead, her family and friends will be aching at the loss of her.

Maddie passed away 7 months ago very unexpectedly. It's a divine injustice that she is gone. In fact there's really no way to form into words just how cruel it is that she is gone. Such a tiny person, but her personality, charm and delightful smile has touched so many people. Her passing has inspired incredible generosity, action towards a cause and selfless giving. Maddie has reminded us all how fragile and precious life is. She's reminded me to live my own life with vigor. For that, I will be forever grateful.  

So today I will wear my poppy with national pride. I will pin it to the purple and pink I will wear today with heavy heart. I will do both to remember and to honour. Lest we forget...