Faithfully yours - Four weeks of gratitude

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Faithfully yours - Four weeks of gratitude - part three

Details: Published on Monday, October 22, 2018

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By Neil Strohschein

Neepawa Banner & Press

This week, are items seven through nine of the things for which I am thankful.

7) My country - the greatest in the world.

I am a proud Canadian. I make no apologies for stating that. I was born in this country, raised in this country, educated in this country and I will die in this country.

In my lifetime, I have lived in three western provinces (British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba), have visited many different places in Saskatchewan and spent some time in Ontario. I have been overwhelmed by the majesty of the Rocky Mountains, stunned by the views one sees while driving through the prairies and have been amazed at the hidden secrets to be found in the lakes, forests and parks of Manitoba.

I cannot begin to comprehend the vast resources that lie trapped beneath the surface of this country, waiting for us to find environmentally responsible ways to extract them and use them for the benefit of others. And I thank God for all of the potential that is to be seen in our youth and for the many opportunities that they have to secure the training they need in order to achieve that potential.

Few other countries have these privileges. They are not ours by right or entitlement. We have been entrusted with these gifts by our Creator and we will answer to him for every occasion on which we have used his gifts unjustly to satisfy our own selfish desires.

8) Our rights and freedoms - things we all share in common.

As a Canadian, I enjoy rights and privileges not shared by citizens of other countries.

For example, if I don’t agree with measures proposed or enacted by those in power, I can speak out, I can write letters, I can give interviews and I can use social media to let people know how I feel. As long as I speak respectfully and stick to issues on which we disagree, I can do this without fear of being arrested and jailed for dissent. This is called “Freedom of Speech,” and it is a right shared by all who live within our borders.

I am free to worship as I please, where and when I please, and with whom I please. I can believe in one god, many gods or no god if I so choose. We call this “Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Assembly.” I am also free to determine how I will live my life, as long as I remain within the guidelines set down by the laws of the land.

These privileges are mine as a citizen and resident of this country. They were given to me the day I was born. They are mine to respect, protect and preserve.

9) Builders - those who made this country what it is.

Where do I begin to list them? I think of those whose names are engraved on our many war memorials—names of men and women who gave their lives in the fight to preserve the rights and privileges that we enjoy; those who invested dozens of hours and thousands of dollars to build farms, homes and community facilities; and those whose foresight has led to the establishment of Community Foundations that will provide on-going support to community agencies and activities.

They invested time, talent and treasure in our communities. We are beneficiaries of their contributions. We must reinforce what they have done by making similar contributions of our own. There is no better way to show them our gratitude and respect.