Red Maple Leaves

For many of us, the month of September signifies the end of summer and the beginning of the beautiful season of red maple leaves. We are seeing many red maple leaves these days as symbols of our love for our country, in response to the threats from the President of the United States to take over Canada as the 51^st state of America. Canadians are determined to assert our independence as a sovereign nation in our territory, our economy, our culture and our politics.

The friendship which Canadians and Americans share has a long history. As happens in many friendships, there have been disagreements and rifts over the years, but on the whole, strong ties among the people survive. Today, Canadians often find American family and friends apologizing for the political upheavals caused by the American government.

The month of September also brings to mind a tragedy which affected not only people in the United States but also people in Canada, who immediately offered help. September brings back the memory of September 11, 2001. We remember watching over and over again on television two passenger airplanes flying into the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. We could not believe what we were seeing on television. Was this the beginning of WWIII? Was this the signal that wars are no longer in another part of the world but on our doorstep?

There is now a beautiful memorial where the two towers of the Trade Center once stood. It is a place of peace, sorrow, and hope. After that day of tragedy on September 11, offers of help and sympathy poured into the city of New York so overwhelmingly that an organization was formed called ‘New York Says Thank You Foundation.’ The statement of the Foundation reads, “the kindness and compassion of people from all across the world prove LOVE is stronger than HATE…actions big and small that bring people together to transform tragedy into hope are living proof that LOVE is stronger than HATE.”

Each one of us can contribute to the strengthening of love by actions big and small, which promote understanding, respect and dignity. Each one of us can counteract the power of hate by our compassion and support for others in our neighbourhoods and in countries near and far. Do we speak out against injustice suffered by those who have no voice? Do we speak up to support the dignity of others regardless of their differences from us?

We can remember that the terrible act of hatred on September 11, 2001, gave rise to actions which brought people together from many walks of life across the world to transform tragedy into hope as living proof that LOVE is stronger than HATE.