Thinking About Canada and Canadians

Thoughts on November 11:

While watching the CBC broadcast from Ottawa, I was impressed by the participation and inclusion of  embassies from around the world, from America to Zimbabwe.  I wondered if the War Memorial would run out of space for the wreaths deposited.

For some reason this was the biggest observation of November 11 across Canada.  Perhaps the recent involvement in Afghanistan contributed to the national outpouring of thanks and appreciation of those who put their lives on the line.

I was further impressed by the gracious treatment of the Governer General's grandaughters in the reception line, as though Canada's inclusion had rubbed off on our visitors.

Hurricane Sandy and the subsequent storm caused such problems with the utilities, Canadian Municipalities dispatched their own crews and equipment to the US east coast to assist in bringing order and service to stricken municipalities.  They no sooner got things up and running from Sandy, when the nor'easter hit, and Canadian crews had to rescue the US crews because they couldn't deal with the snow, and restore operation, again!

Remembered the words of an American grateful for Canadian crews in the US because of the storms: "Who would have thought it would take the Canucks to know what to do and arrive equipped to bail us out."

Capable, inclusive and accepting.  In his acceptance speech, Obama said that in this term of office, he would work so Americans have more of these qualities.  On November 11 we exhibited the qualities of graciousnous and we were gentle.

Do you think we get something very important 'right' and could be considered world leaders in emotional quotient?