With Glowing Hearts

Today is Canada Day.
I love Canada Day, I love that Canada became a country on this day because together is stronger.  I love that we're a county because of fish, fur and a railway.
My feelings for Canada sometimes overwhelm me.  This week's edition of McLean's had a piece on When people felt the most Canadian, as I was reading the stories I began to cry.  The stories were absolutely amazing, showcasing the kind hospitality of Canadians, the hope Canada offers to immigrants.
Canada is not a country that wears is patriotism on its sleeve, we are not a flag waving country, Canada has a quiet reserved patriotism.  As I drove through the small towns in the Valley today I couldn't help but notice the abundance of Canadian flags.  Canadians do undoubtably love their country but we don't scream it.  Our love is always present, always there but today, Canada Day, the day out nation became one, is the day that we freak out, the day we allow our red and white heart to show.  (and the day of the  Olympic mens gold medal game)
I on the other hand am a Canadian that does not fit the mould, I am a bear my red and white heart every single day Canadian.  An Obnoxious Canadian that thinks Canada is the best country int he world.  A Canadian that cries over Zellers flyers, and Olympic Hockey, and stories about Canadian soldiers.  A person that would buy a t-shirt with the words of our anthem on it (not saying I did...)
Some people may say that my patriotism is only because of my unhealthy obsession with hockey.  This is partially true, my love of hockey only makes my love of this country stronger.  The 2002 Olympics really did change my life, the double hockey gold after 50 years was a moment I will never forget.  I would love this country even if I wasn't an insane hockey fan.   It's more than hockey it's a feeling and undeniable feeling that reaches into the very inside part of me, and feeling that I part of something so big.  I can't find words I cannot put how I feel about this country into words.  I can't find the words to describe the feeling in my stomach, in my heart, that buzz that goes through my whole body when I think of this country.
I love every nook and cranny of his Country, I love that we have nearly any climate you can imagine.  I love the Canada shield and the prairies and the rainforest and our kilometres and kilometres of coast line.  I love our 6 time zones and that Newfoundland is a half hour ahead.
I love the CBC and their never ending Canadian content and HNIC and Don Cherry and their horrible mini series and Road to Avonlea and Rick Mercer and Peter Mansbridge, and Rex Murphy.
I love Molson and their commercials that make me feel so incredibly Canadian that it hurts.
I love that we spell words differently, like centre, metre, favourite, and neighbour and who can forget colour.  I love that we say zed.
I know some people are so cynical about Canada, saying it's not that great of a place saying our government could be better.  I really don't know what to say to these people, in comparison to so many other countries Canada is amazing.  This country has captivated me with its freedom and beauty and I can't combat with cynicism.  But people will always complain.
Should I mention that we have the best part of the Rockies and Niagara Falls?
Sometimes I sit and think how glad I am that my long ago hodgepodge of ancestors somehow ended up on the coast of Canada.  That they by chance or choice decided to live in Canada to stay in Canada.
On Canada Day I also think of all the men and women who's love for this country led them to fight for its freedom, for the freedom of the citizens of this earth.
I live in the True North Strong and Free and I wouldn't have it any other way.

p.s  With Glowing Hearts makes my heart burst because it was the motto for the 2010 Olympics.

Shane Koyczan is able to put everything I have ever felt about this country into one incredibly beautiful spoken word piece.