Today, I give thanks for the fundamentals. I celebrate the basic fundamental right to free speech and free thought. People have given their lives in sacrifice, shedding blood on a battle field in hopes of progress forward to democracy.
What is democracy and what do democratic societies look like? Are we living in a true democratic world? Does a platform for everyone's voice to be heard exist or is every child being left behind? Do the rich get richer and the poor stay poor?
In 1978, I picked up a picket sign, at age 6. Exercising the basic fundamental right to free speech. I really had little idea about what was truly going on around me, I just knew from the "energy" of the environment, something big was happening.
Hell no, we won't go! Save our school! I remember 2 lessons from that year. I was attending school in the community center. I vaguely remember those times, watching the world around me. Perhaps in wonderment as I watched everything unfold.
A short time later, I remember sitting with my mates in front of the black and white television at school, watching the greatest events that transpired in our history. Seeing a clip of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon, hearing him state, "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind".
The sound of John F. Kennedy's voice, hearing his inaugural address. "Ask now what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country, my fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man".
That same year, I found a newspaper under the carpet of my aunt and uncle's house of JFK's assassination. I remember thinking to myself, what has this man done that someone would
want to hurt him?
Some 30 years later, I would take a journey to the other side of the planet. Nothing could have prepared me for what I experienced living in the Middle East. In the east, I met the devil, but in the east, I also met god.
How can I describe to you, the extreme world of difference on the earth where some societies can be so blessed and some can be so cursed.
What is free speech from the perspective of the east as compared to the west? What is freedom from the perspective of the east, west, north and south? What is equality, honor, justice and representation?
Why, in the 21st century, do governments get to claim full "control" over citizens? Why does this fundamental power have the right to control my thought, comings and goings, whom I should allow in the presence of my company or have a say in weather or not it is legal for me as a single female to have a male in my home? My bed isn't big enough for the father, son, holy ghost and government!
Honor, from the perspective of the "infidel mustang", are these basic fundamental rights not what the war effort was about or have we been misinformed through the "media"?
Ultimately, its the men make that make rules of this land, but it is the women who keep them. Is it more honorable to die on an oil field or a battle field?
Tomorrow is another day. The truth has set me free. I am grateful to have had the experience. The past is gone. It is time to move on. I give thanks to those that have fallen, in the name of "freedom". Oh Canada, I stand on guard for thee!
My journey is far from over, in fact, I believe that a brand new page and chapter is about to begin. For today, however, we will rock on! In Canada, we play it pretty straight! Giddy up Hidalgo, we are riding on out of here!
Let's head on down to Ireland for some 'crack" (fun) and have a good dance!
Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for giving me the right to choose and thank you for your inspired leadership. For when I grew up, I just wanted to be just like you. Thank you for creating the culture that is me.