On this anniversary of the Quebec mosque attack on a day when we remember the six worshippers murdered and the nineteen injured five years ago I show our Canadian flag proudly because I refuse to display the images of hate and racism that are being seen not only in Ottawa today but around the country and the world.
To see the flag carried upside down adorned with a swastika or being flown next to a swastika flag on the back of a pickup truck, and to see people wearing the yellow Star of David stamped with the words “not vaxxed,” and “non vaccin,” it is all beyond comprehension. This is not free speech. These are symbols of hate speech and racism and look back to the worst of humanity. Who are these people? They do not belong in a Canada that I recognize. To equate the efforts of our caring society that is interested in ensuring the health and safety of all of its citizens with the criminality of the Nazi regime, demonstrates a level of ignorance that is beyond belief. I can only assume that they belong to the same rabble of unworthy citizenry that protested our healthcare heroes outside our hospitals not that long ago.
Whatever the outcome of the demonstrations in Ottawa, which for the most part seem peaceful enough, these despicable actions must be called out and protested, as I do now, in the strongest possible terms wherever and whenever they occur.
Month: January 2022
a candle for remembrance
Lighting a candle for remembrance once again on this Holocaust Remembrance Day, the 77th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
“When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must—at that moment—become the center of the universe,”
Words of the late Elie Wiesel, author, humanitarian and survivor of Auschwitz, described as a “messenger to mankind” when he received his Nobel Peace Prize in 1986.
Pacific Spirit Inspiration
rays of peace, hope and light
1.9.22 – Pacific Spirit Park
2021 Review – Part Two
There are no lows in my 2021 Review-Part Two, only highs from our three beautiful grandchildren whom we love more than anything in the world. The few times we were all together were treasured moments in a year of so much uncertainty. Watching them grow and change as the months went by into the amazing and talented children they are today fills our hearts with so much joy, love and gratitude. With their wonderful parents they all continue to be the lights of our lives. We love them all beyond words…but of course those of you who follow me know that already 🙂
2021 Review – Part One
As we begin the New Year, in this 2021 Review – Part One I have chosen eight of my posts from last year with which to remember some of its highs and lows, all of which moved me to respond in the best way I know how.
I
The last leaf
On February 15th I added the last leaf to 851 leaves that I had begun drawing in October 2020 to remember all of the children so cruelly separated from their parents by both the United States Government under the last administration and by the Canadian Government over generations as described in my post Shame and Prejudice that was inspired by a visit to an exhibition of that name by the artist Kent Monkman at the Museum of Anthropology.
666+186 Day LIV – Journey’s End.
II
On March 15th, Yo Yo Ma playing Bach’s Cello Suite No 1 for those waiting to receive their vaccinations in Pittsfield Massachusetts after he had received his, was a truly inspiring moment of grace and beauty amidst the fear and despair felt by so many. If you open the original post “Thank you Yo Yo” you can listen to his playing the prelude from the suite and be moved by his mastery and humanity.
III
On April 12th I was honoured to see my tribute to the Vancouver General Hospital’s ECMO team,”The Meeting Point,” being hung in the ICU at VGH.
The drawing is also a tribute to all our health care heroes for whom the words “Thank You” can never be said enough as I expressed in the description that accompanies the piece:
When the Science of Medicine meets the Art of Medicine to save lives in the COVID unit at Vancouver General Hospital. I would like to suggest that ECMO, which stands for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, could also stand for Ever Compassionate Medical Optimism, thanks to the dedication and bravery of our frontline healthcare workers epitomized by the caring nurse-specialist portrayed in my drawing.
The Meeting Point
IV
On September 2nd I completed my painting of 6 year old Suzy Eshkuntana being rescued from the rubble of her bombed out family home in Gaza that took place In the early hours of the 16th of May. She had been buried alive for seven hours after it was hit by an Israeli rocket that killed her mother and four of her siblings. Just a few days later I began the painting of her rescue, based on a photograph by the Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem, which as I wrote in my post The Rescue would “celebrate her life being saved, and in memory of the family she has lost.”
V
On Labour Day the often violent protest against our health care heroes was, and sadly continues to be, a shameful reflection of elements of our society that certainly can never be considered civilized. Whatever happened to reason, grace and gratitude? Read the heartbreaking words from one of our nurse heroes, which I quoted in full in the post.
“A miserable rabble of unworthy citizenry.”
VI
30th September, Orange Shirt Day, was Canada’s 1st National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The findings of the unmarked graves of so many children at the sites of the Indian Residential Schools brought us all together as a country in a state of national grief, shame and remembrance.
Every child matters
VII
November 11th, Remembrance Day, always one of the most important days of the year and this year The Royal Canadian Legion celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Remembrance Poppy in Canada
VIII
December 31st, New Year’s Eve, could not be a more fitting end to this look back to 2021, with the magic and beauty of the snow in the Pacific Spirit Park, a place of sanctuary and peace for us throughout the year and which gives us all hope for whatever the year ahead may bring.
Pacific Spirit Park, December 31st 2021
Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year
thechangingpalette 