Poems ✍️

My Thoughts (B)

Have you forgotten or do you remember, I wonder. I do remember as a wee girl
smiles and jubilation of relatives arriving from the West Indian Islands. They
were so happy to be here. I'll never forget that day, it seemed a burden was
lifted from my Grandparents when our relatives arrived knowing they would be
happier here and have a chance at a good education and be able to start their
own business. It was a beautiful day and we were all basking in that joy. The
love my Grandparents poured their way was phenomenal.

My relatives, I don't believe had to walk miles hoping for acceptance, they were
fortunate enough to have sponsorship here and they came into a home of love.
All worked out well for them, one gent is now a Scientist here, well maybe he`s
retired by now, one has experienced the wonderful world of TV, another became
a Principal etc. Some are retiring and their children are enjoying the gifts of this
land. Do they remember, I can't answer that question, fact is they were given
the opportunity to excel and all suffering they may have had prior ceased. My
Grandparents had their own story to tell as they were the first ones here. I was
fortunate to be born here in Canada and I say, Thank you Jesus.

This morning I rose feeling great again and sat realizing how fortunate I was to
be a Canadian citizen, to have had a relatively smooth life, Oh yes many rough
spots along the way. However I did not have to walk the streets allowing people
to rub my head and pay out a few cents to satisfy their curiosity of what my hair
felt like. No sometimes they did that anyway. More importantly I wanted for
nothing, my clothes were made for me by my Grandmother, food was provided
by a hard working Grandfather and love was shared by all. We were at peace,
you see that`s what I remember, that beautiful sense of peace.

Hmmm we could leave our doors open then and not be afraid of unwanted
intruders. A happy and peaceful life on Canadian soil. We lived in a mixed
community, different races and religions and we all got along and helped each
other, I remember the laughter and the welcoming of strangers, the hugs and
hand shakes, great food and huge gatherings at the Melnik Hall on Tupper
Street. Wow! Those were the days my friends.
I remember my Aunt Mar standing on a tall ladder putting shingles on our home,
and I laugh when I recall an incident of an old geese beating up my Uncle Ben.
Oh my goodness, my Uncle laughed so hard a few years ago when I told that
story and I have many stories to tell all because of the safety and peace of this
wonderful country. We of course can also share our issues but still this was the
place to be.

This morning it hurt me greatly when I read an article of a pepper spraying
incident. Refugees have been welcomed to this country and are here for the
same reasons, to have a better life for all. To see their children smile and play
without worry, to know they will be fed and to able to enjoy so much of what we
already take for granted. We Canadians worry and we complain due to the influx
of so many coming into the country, I know we do, but do we remember when
our forefathers wanted entry to this country.

I watched these people walking and walking with their hands full, some carrying
their children, toddlers lagging behind crying and I wonder about the pain felt in
the adult bodies and in the little legs of those babies. I watch the women barely
able some of them to place one foot in front of the other but the mind is working
overtime. Can you imagine the rumbling stomachs filled with pain due to
hunger, can you believe it`s possible for places to put up walls and not allow
humans to enter. How many days can a woman walk without pain, does she
have the necessities to take care of her hygiene, is she pregnant, is she about to
have a miscarriage, is blood running down her legs. Can you imagine the ugly of
being not wanted when your hungry and in pain. And the poor men, the heads
of the family, lacking that ability to provide for their families, watching their
wives and children cry out for help. What man wants that for their family, I
shake my head wondering how they must feel.

We are Canadians dang it, this is the place that gives us at least a little hope.
Don`t let hate pour onto this land, we`ve always been an accepting and peaceful
country. At one time we rode high on the ladder of peace.

The pepper sprayer is one person who acted out and I`m hoping not to see any
copy cats. I hope that person sits down and really thinks of what he or she did
and tries to remember. Most of us are immigrants to this country, I say most
because we know the story of the Aboriginals. Let love come from our hearts
and soul and treat these people with respect, it is human to want the best for
your children and wouldn`t we all walk miles to get that. Let love be the answer
folks…Melvina…..