Oh, Canada!
Canada is our neighbor, not a long drive from where I live in New England. When we lived in Michigan, Windsor, Canada beckoned just the other side of the Detroit River. So, I feel protective of our northern neighbor. Good neighbors matter.
So why this topic today? Well, It's the first day of August. And on the first day of each month I receive a newsletter from one of my favorite authors, Louise Penny, a Canadian. She writes great mysteries. So, I feel, at best, uncomfortable with how our current President talks about Canada, like it should be thrilled to become part of the USA. Oh, Canada, most of us don't wish that for you. We want what's best for our neighbors. And you're a good neighbor.
Canada introduced me to international travel. She was the first country I visited and that was more than sixty years ago. So I have a special place in my heart for Canada and Canadians. Also, some of my mama's best stories are rooted in Saskatoon and Winnipeg, Canada. Mama learned to sing, O Canada, as well as, My Country 'tis of Thee. And many Canadians loved her books and stories, too.
Well, it's been about twenty years since I read Penny's first book, Still Life, and was introduced to Inspector Gamache. He is one of my favorite literary heroes with his humble, kind and wise manner. He knows people. And he loves and works with some challenging ones to do his work. Still, even within flawed systems, troubled times and people, Gamache represents goodness in the midst of evil.
So how does Inspector Gamache help me in times like these? Most of us, while not trying to solve murders, need wisdom, humility and kindness to deal with life. Each day brings us into contact with challenging people, a conundrum or two, and flawed systems.
In times like these, I'm grateful for any leader who speaks with wisdom and humility. Even a leader from one of my favorite books. For example, in Still Life, Inspector Gamache teaches the following to a new colleague|:
"There are four guiding principles that lead to wisdom. I want you to remember them and follow them...You need to learn to say: I don't know. I'm sorry. I need help. And I was wrong."
Not easy for a leader to admit to any one of these, nor for me. You, too? I'm thinking about the benefits to relationships and situations from any one of these. Each takes humilty, kindness and wisdom to say or to listen and respond to: "I was wrong." Or to admit, "I need help" or that "I don't know." And, especially, "I'm sorry."
So, consider reading one of Louise Penny's books before summer turns to fall. But even better, pray for and appreciate our good neighbor to the north. Canada. Unless we're playing them in hockey or another sport. Then it's, Game on!
12 Comments
We love Louise Penny as well, have read all her wonderful books!
OH! CANADA-- Please accept as much of New England as you can as your new, southernmost province: Nouveau Angleterre! (Just not one square centimeter of New York, if you please!)
You made me laugh out loud, dear David! Like you, I'ce read all her books and look forward to her newest, The Black Wolf, due out the end of October. Thanks, again, for reading the blog and responding. You Mainers are good neighbors on this side of the border, too.
Jan,
Thanks for writing about Louise Penny and her Inspector Gamache character. I've read her books with enthusiasm and enjoyed each plot. I too have enjoyed his guiding principles...they make great sense.
I appreciate your postings and this one in particular struck a nerve as I'm from NH and traveled to Canada on occasion enjoying the people. scenery, food, and history.
Thank you!
Karen Grant
You're so welcome, dear Karen. We have much to appreciate about our good neighbor to the north. Her strawberries are delicious, for starters. A local farm stand , just down the road from me,carries them. They are red all the way through, no white core. We also have a couple of local farms that grow their own and they're yummy, too. For years, our Christmas tree came from Canada. Now, I have an artificial one, but I miss the scent of real pine.
Oh, I'm so glad were also together as fans of Louise Penny! Anticipating the new Gamache book this fall. And appreciate with you the wisdom of a wide leader that is so much a part of his character. Canada is a wonderful neighbor!!
Always good to hear from you, dear Linda. Yes, her books are so good. And I would love to visit the bookstore and bistro some day. But,meanwhile, I travel to "Three Pines" and other parts of Canada through her books. A lesser god might have hoarded all creativity to him or herself. Our God, the creator of the heavens, the earth and the likes of you and me, chooses to allow and encourage us to make beauty through words and deeds. Thank you, God.
Jan, we are in Michigan for our every-other-year reunion with my siblings (eight of us are here) and lots of representatives from the next two generations. Today I saw a woman who reminded me of you--so I prayed for you. And now, here you are--writing about Canada and Inspector Gamache (whom Carol and I enjoy).
Blessings!
Thank you for your prayers, dear Mark. I'm not surprised you and Carol enjoy Inspector Gamache. And how wonderful you are together for a family reunion. What a time that must be! I love Michigan. We have good friends there, along with a ton of great memories. Blessings on your time with family. Those gatherings matter, as do moments, easily missed.
I love Inspector Gamache and the whole cast of characters from Three Pines! He has some very wise words of wisdom as does Ruth!
Yes, quite the cast of characters! I thought it best not to quote Ruth or her duck! Always good to connect with you and Jim, dear Kathy.
Jan, thank you for your shoutout to our good neighbors to the north, Some of my best author-friends hail from Canada, and the new administration has made things challenging for them in several ways. My late father-in-law was a "Canuck" and proud of it, although also happy to be an American once he moved south of the border into NY. And now you have me singing their national anthem. . .
It is a national shame when we degrade a good neighbor and shun or do harr to allies. We all need friends. And countries do, too. Gotta say that Canada's national anthem is catchy, my dear Norwegian sister. Cheers to our good neighbors to the north! Until the Red Sox play the Toronto Blue Jays!