Happy American Thanksgiving…

My dishcloths for this week are shaped like the American Flag. This weekend is the American Thanksgiving and then a dive into the Christmas Season. A new year is ahead, I feel that no matter what side of the aisle you sit, there is always some apprehension when change is on the horizon. I will not deny that I would have loved to have seen the first black woman president take office on January 20th. Am I concerned about a second Trump Presidency? I can honestly say that I am. I think that a moral compass is still very important when it comes to leadership. I think speaking in a derogatory fashion and being “uncouth” is problematic, anywhere, anytime. Do I long for the “class” that seemed to hover around the Obama years in the White House? Yes. No leader is perfect. Can leaders make mistakes? Yes. Do leaders admit there mistakes? Not very often.

I am as concerned about Canada as I am about the United States. More concerned because I live here and I want to stay optimistic and hopeful about the future of our country. I would love to see us ALL working together, coming to the table and talking honestly about where we are at. I don’t like “knee-jerk” reactions like sending out cheques randomly or cutting a couple of months of taxes. I think Canadians are smart and I think we are pro-active and solution oriented. I have seen strong and brilliant people walk away from government because they were gaslit or harassed for their ideas and intelligence.

I think that across North America we can do better. How do we start a conversation? Over the next few months and years, I am going to be looking for ways. I can’t close down and walk away – there are little children and families and young adults that need to see us with hope.

So, over the next while, let’s engage in respectful dialogue, with hope and kindness.