True North Strong and Free

Thirty years ago my family and I arrived in Canada from a refugee camp in Indonesia. It was May when we arrived and we were freezing! We came with nothing but the clothes on our backs, some French with which to communicate with the people of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and hope for a better life.

My parents did not want to leave the only home that they ever knew and the home that they loved but I suppose that they deliberated thoroughly before they set out in a rickety fishing boat with four young children, hoping that the sea would take them safely to another land. We lived in the refugee camp for a few months before receiving word from the government of Canada that a small church in Fredericton would take us. I don't know what went through my parents' minds but I knew that they thought anywhere in the free world would be better than the uncertainty that laid ahead for the family members that they left back in Viet Nam.

So thirty years later we are still grateful every day to be Canadian citizens, to have been taken in and cared for by strangers, and to have the freedoms that we are so blessed with. And while I now call the United States home, I take every opportunity to tell people that I am from Canada. Happy Canada Day!

7 comments:

Lori said...

As a Canadian, stories like this one make me so proud of my country's heritage of taking in those who need a place to call home. Your story had me welling up a bit with tears... Thanks for sharing it!

And Happy Canada Day to you too!

Balkan Style Bloggers said...

I welled up with tears too! I thought of you and your family during the fireworks last night, and then got all teary-ed again! You're awesome! :) It's families like yours that make Canada awesome.
-N

OrangeHeroMama said...

thanks for sharing your beautiful story T!

HAPPY CANADA DAY! (or well it's the day after, but still...)

Shelaine said...

Thank you for sharing your story! It is beautiful.
Shelaine

Unknown said...

I remember a family coming to our church here in London, the fun we had & the shock on their faces when the snow arrived. Happy Canada Day & 4th of July!

Greg Fowler said...

So, where's the recipe for that yummy-looking dessert? And if it's your own photo, it'd be great if you'd release it under a CC license because I love it!

knitty_kat said...

Happy Belated T! I hope you had a great day and a Happy July 4th as well!