Patricia Sands

Author

Social issues

Happy Thanksgiving U.S.A.

by

canstockphoto22451173The third Thursday of  November, the 26th this year, is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It’s the most important family holiday of the year for Americans, full of traditions and warm memories. My good friend Marti Smye celebrates those sentiments in a touching remembrance of her family’s rituals, published this week in the Huffington Post.

Here’s how her musings begin. Click on the link below to read the entire article which may well bring back memories of your own family.

Growing up in the not-so-booming metropolis of Salineville, Ohio during the 1950s-60s, families struggled with the same challenges of spending time together that they face today. My father was a dairy farmer and worked very long hours. My mother worked full-time to help make ends meet. My brother was the captain of the football team, and I was the editor of the school newspaper. While we all had demands … click right here to read the entire article.

Her post is part of a series produced by The Huffington Post and the 92nd Street Y, founders of #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that will take place this year on December 1. These stories highlight the work of organizations and people around the world who are committed to giving back and doing good this #GivingTuesday.

Let’s all make a plan to give back and do good on December 1 … and every day! Follow Marti’s lead and write a story about your family’s traditions.

In Canada, we celebrate our Thanksgiving Day on the second Monday of October. I’m often in the States in November and feel fortunate to have a second opportunity to celebrate this special day.

~ Warmest wishes to all ~

10093-thanksgiving

 

#porteouverte ~ Open door, open heart

by

Last Friday, as the shocking events were unfolding in Paris, citizens there launched the hashtag #PorteOuverte (which translates to #OpenDoor) on Twitter to offer shelter and safety to those stranded in the city. Taxi drivers turned off their meters and offered free rides to all who needed them. Strangers opened their hearts to each other, comforted each other. They showed light and love in the face of unspeakable terror.

The events of 9/11 inspired the same responses.

c281433ba8a10ad538320619394e1493To my generally optimistic nature, this is how the majority of people around the world feel about helping each other. No one stops to question the race, religion or political affiliation of the person they are reaching out to help in that moment.  Unfortunately, it is often only through disasters of epic physical or emotional proportions, that we hear about such acts of kindness. Let’s continue to try to keep the conversation going.

How would you feel if everything you held dear to you was violently stripped away and you were forced to flee to with nothing … to where … ?

It’s an unfathomable thought to most of us but a reality to many others, as we know. I hope we can keep our doors and hearts open to this.

There is an evil darkness in our world that must be defeated. Every small role we play to making this happen will help.

2E7A307500000578-0-image-m-21_1447625422527The young French artist, Jean Jullien, who created this now iconic graphic was expressing the feelings of his heart. It will never lose the power of its message around the world now. His heartfelt words in an interview with Slate, ‘And just because this is what I do, I draw, I reacted graphically, just drawing something spontaneously with pen and paper and then sharing it as a raw reaction, the artist told Slate. ‘With so much violence and tragedy – we just want a bit of peace.’

My love for France is no secret but my hope for peace, love, understanding, acceptance … and let’s add laughter to that … is for the world. I have a sense it is your hope too.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Remembrance Day 2015 ~ Lest we forget

by

1452417_430285330427581_1903646163_nIn 2010, my husband and I went on a journey to locate the grave of my Uncle Harry whose Lancaster bomber had been shot down on June 13, 1944, near Cambrai, France. All six crew members had perished.

dsc06602

We discovered they are buried in a small Allied cemetery in the middle of farmland rather than in one of the major cemeteries in France. It was quite an experience just finding it, but that’s a story for another day. When I inquired as to why they were in that location, the Office of Military Affairs explained that they had been buried there by the nearby villagers at the time and so would remain close to where they had died. The cemetery was immaculately tended … and watched over by curious cows.

France-PSandsPhotos

As a child, I had always been intrigued by stories about my Uncle Harry, the youngest of 5 boys, and only 20 years old when he died. There were framed photos of him in his uniform with a dazzling smile in my parents’ and grandparents’ homes. You could feel his pride.

When we went on our mission to ‘find Uncle Harry’, we also spent a few days in Normandy and did the tours of the WW2 landing beaches, something I recommend to everyone who has the opportunity. It’s an emotional experience as the history of the war becomes vividly presented by guides who must take courses in this information and pass exams before receiving a license to guide. The French take the preservation of this history very seriously and are to be commended for doing so.

DSC06954

As we toured the museums and memorial centres, it struck me that in so many of the photographs of men and women in service for their country, pride was stirringly evident in their expressions. It seems to go with the wearing of the uniform and the understanding of what that represents.

Thank you to every one of the members of armed services – past and present – for putting yourself in danger for your country and taking on that onerous task with such pride. We are proud of you and very grateful.

Thank you, Uncle Harry.

Normandy 2010

Wear your poppy proudly. Please make certain to preserve and keep alive the stories of the members of your families who have served in the armed forces. Always remember. In doing some research, I discovered this excellent video. It only pertains to the American cemeteries but could be talking about all of the Allied burial grounds.

Normandy

No matter what our country, our hearts are touched by the selfless giving of all who serve. The museums and preserved landing beaches of Normandy offer an emotional lesson in history to all who have the good fortune to visit there.

Most Canadians proudly wear a poppy for a week or so before November 11th to show their respect for veterans. Here’s an explanation of how the poppy came to be such a strong symbol of remembrance, from the Canoe.ca website.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

by

1.IMG_7271

Happy Thanksgiving in Canada! I’m back from Spain and deep in my editing cave working to a deadline for I Promise You This (Book 3 in the Love in Provence series). The good news is that it is joyful work … particularly because it makes me feel like I’m back in the south of France. You know how I love taking you there with me!

I know I promised photos from my travels in Spain last month (and, of course, I took a bazillion) and I feel badly I haven’t gotten to that! I will. I will! And now … seemingly all of a sudden … it’s Thanksgiving weekend. My favourite time of the year.

I hope you won’t mind if I post the same message as last year. It’s the message I want to share at this time every year … every day, really …

IMG_7305

Thanksgiving. No shopping for anything but dinner ingredients. No lists of gifts. Bags of food being filled for the Food Banks. Volunteers serving turkey dinners at homeless shelters. Quality time spent as families and friends gather to share memories, love and laughter. An attitude of gratitude prevails. I am so thankful for the life I have. I hope you feel the same about yours.

As we consider our individual blessings, let’s remember those who struggle with hunger, illness, poverty, war and a multitude of other challenges in our own backyards and around the globe. The refugee crisis is heartbreaking. Let’s try to make the sentiments of Thanksgiving a part of every single day.

What a good feeling to see the food donation bins overflowing today. If you can’t get out to help, here’s a way you can play a part without leaving home! Click right here.

logo-main

 

I’ve written about these sites before, but they are always worth mentioning from time to time.  All you have to do is go to TheHungerSite.com  once a day and click on the button — sponsors give free food. You are not put on any list or bombarded with spam. There are other links to click where sponsors donate for appropriate benefits: Breast Cancer ~ remember it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Child Health; Literacy; Rainforest; Animal Rescue and a few others. All of this has been verified as legit by Snopes years ago. I pop in every day. Why not?

1.IMG_2976

While we are at it, have you ever played FREERICE.COM? ~ This is a unique way to increase your vocabulary and donate rice to needy countries. Play it with your children as there are 60 levels. It’s a great place to learn new words for Words With Friends … ahem, my addiction when I need a few minutes off from writing. It’s such a fun way to keep connected with friends too.

One big personal thank you to the readers who take the time to contact me. I love hearing from you and appreciate every single message. Thanks for subscribing to my  newsletter and for sharing my books with your friends. You light up my life!

Canada has a federal election coming up on October 19th. Living in a countryUnknown-1 where we can freely express our political choices, and vote without fear of losing our lives, is truly another reason to feel thankful. Please exercise that privilege and GO OUT AND VOTE! IT’S FREE! IT MATTERS! LET’S ALL DO IT! FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR CANDIDATE AND THE ISSUES AND BE INFORMED! Click here for more information.

Oh, excuse me, I think that  might have seemed a bit loud. Sorry, but this is important for each and every Canadian. Take an active role in what happens in your country. Plan a party to watch the results on the 19th and, whatever the outcome, be proud you did your part. Let’s do it! We’re going to an advanced voting station this weekend. How about you?

20060123

vote-cartoon1