May 31, 2008
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Here’s to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”

I suppose the best way to describe my relationship with the United States, after all that I’d experienced while living there — immigration issues, marriage, the healthcare system, two elections, federal aviation policies, banking policies, the real estate market, funeral homes, insurance claims, estate matters, Social Security, exporting an automobile, and myriad other processes — is… COMPLICATED. If there is a Canadian who understands what is involved in expat life in America, at both ends of the wellness spectrum, it is me.

Yes, it’s a complicated relationship, one that is touched on from time to time even though I don’t live there anymore, because I keep going back, and there remains a bit of my American life in America. In my mind I must separate the actions of the government from the actions of the people, because it is necessary for a healthy attitude and I believe this should extend to other countries, too. Although we wish it were not so, there is often no humanity in policy. It is not an ideal world we live in, but that should not stop us from having ideals and fighting for them.

With all the media coverage on the upcoming U.S. election, I wonder what David would have to say about it. He was a very patriotic American who completely disagreed with many decisions made by the Bush administration in the last two terms of his life. I know he’d be excited and encouraged by the inroads made by the Democratic Party — he was a registered Democrat and his maternal grandmother was a campaigner for the Democratic party at a local level. (Her diamonds are in our wedding rings.) In fact, I’ve kept a tin container of campaign buttons and various items that David stashed away over the years. Now that my scanner works again, I’ll see if I can scan some in October, in the run-up to the election on November 4.

In the meantime, I leave you with some Americana for the 4th of July.

First, a glimpse into David’s Americana group on Flickr.

Second, photos from my trip to New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey (May 29-June 2), to celebrate the birthday of my favourite American.

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