Sunday, February 9, 2014

A little Politics - A little Olympics - A LOT of heart..................




I don't discuss politics on my blog - maybe a little snippet here and there - but I try to stay away from it completely - it's a depressing subject - especially if you live in Montreal - or Quebec to be more precise.

We are a French speaking majority in a province in Canada ...............with a lot of conflict politically.
In 2012 a Separatist party was voted into power ( as a minority government - but with enough clout to do serious damage to our beautiful city and province )

I'm not going to go into all of the details here - there's too many - but  there's talk in the air of another election and of another vote in favor of separating from Canada - a thought that breaks my heart more than I can tell you.  They tried 2 previous times and lost - but each time the subject comes up there's another exodus out of this province taking much needed and very valuable tax dollars with them when they go.
It's a vicious circle - which we tend to all run around in - instead of moving forward like the rest of the country.

I'm tired of it - exhausted from it - with so much going on in the world - with so many doors opening up - I'm tired of dealing with doors constantly being closed.

So when I saw this video - I actually wept.

I cried because political strife can leave you an emotional wreck but I also wept because these 3 beautiful girls restored something deep inside me.

Please take a moment to watch - they are French Canadians - and they are PROUD to be a part of this magnificent country and to be representing Team Canada.
You have no idea, girls, how proud we are of you.

Bonne Chance Maxime - Chloe et Justine - vous etes gagnants dans mon coeur

Much love, - beaucoup d'amour
( where's the damn kleenex ? )

UPDATE - OMG - I WROTE THIS UP BEFORE YESTERDAY'S RESULTS -
CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia -- Justine Dufour-Lapointe of Montreal has won Canada's first gold medal of the Sochi Olympics -- and her sister Chloe is on the podium beside her.
Justine finished first with a score of 22.44 while Chloe was second with 21.66 points.
Defending champion Hannah Kearney of the U.S., was third at 21.49.
A third Dufour-Lapoint sister, Maxime, failed to make the final along with Audrey Robichaud of Quebec City.
The two sisters held hands as they prepared to take their spots on the podium.
FELICITATIONS !!!!!!!!!!
INCROYABLE!!!!! ( INCREDIBLE )







27 comments:

  1. Oh I am sooooo PROUD of these girls. They have done such a wonderful job representing CANADA. I love the fact that they considered not only themselves but the team. They are good role models for others that struggled to demonstrate that same Olympic spirit.
    As for the future of Québec my heart struggles to figure this all out.... really sad.

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  2. Suzan, I checked again and, this time, I can read the post. I am so glad, because it is a beautiful video and the girls are, too! It is very obvious that they love their country. If you watch the news from US, we have some issues of our own, as well. I often have to stop and remind myself that when I feel hopeless, God is in control, but it is hard not to be frustrated and disappointed at times.

    Congratulations to Canada on winning the medals! Hope we will win a few, as well.

    Have a beautiful day!

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    1. Well this province is trying to remove all signs of religion - that's another huge debate going on here at the moment - and I do mean huge..............I really can't get into it without going into a 100 page post....................it's a disaster right now - divisive politics with everyone standing on one side or the other. BUT I'm so proud of these girls - I can't tell you - aren't they magnificent? And I wouldn't worry too much about the U.S. taking home medals LOL - really I wouldn't !!!
      You have a beautiful day too Lynn xxx

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  3. Super great video…. I learned a long, long time ago to stop listening to the news, politics, etc. If the news comes on TV, I turn the channel (kind of like Honey Boo Boo). I realized when I watched it, I got scared, depressed, sad, etc, and there really is nothing I can do about any of it. Right or wrong in ignoring it all, it makes me get through the day a little easier. Ignorance IS bliss, I guess.

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  4. We don't have cable, but we gave this station. We watched the competition. They were adorable.

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  5. Beautiful and very talented girls. So happy for them. It is too bad that politics have to get in the way of what we are all really about no matter what country you are in! Love their story.
    Kris

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  6. Team Canada has every right to be proud of its athletes. I am happy that if an American couldn't win the gold and silver, the Canadians did! We nortamericanos have to stick together :) The ice dancing competition is going to be magnificent. The top Canadian and American pairs have been battling each other for years, and it's always a toss up which pair will come out on top. The political situation in Quebec, it breaks my heart. I think it broke Don's heart too, and that may have contributed to his untimely death. He was so upset by what was going on. In the end I think it just disheartened him. Such a long, bitter history, and in today's world, hatred, intolerance and bigotry is on the rise, at a time when we need each other more than ever and the world has grown so interdependent. I just don't get it. If we cannot be united as a world of people, we will stand no chance of surviving as a world. Bon chance to the nortamericanos.

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  7. and that is precisely why I left and will not move back. I can't stand the backbiting and complaining and constant struggle. I am 13th generation French Canadian, my mom was the first English connection in my Dad's family and even so, I am proudly Canadian and have no wish to be part of a separatist Quebec. So proud of those girls!!!

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  8. I'm rooting for Canada after the US !

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  9. If The US doesn't win, I hope that Canada was. Those girls are amazing

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  10. Canadian politics reminds me of American politics. That's why I consider politics a necessary evil in a democracy. :)

    I believe I've been to your part of the woods. As a child we went to Murray Bay, Canada and I remember the people speaking French. We had a wonderful time. My Dad's company had a convention there.

    I heard all about the three sisters. I kind of feel bad for the third one, but I think congratulations should go to all of them. I'm sure they supported and encouraged each other, so they all earn our congratulations.

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  11. Beautiful girls and a beautiful story. Too bad Maxine did not also win a medal.

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  12. Yay! Congratulations to these beautiful sisters from Quebec. That's awesome!

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  13. Beautiful girls and a beautiful story - Congratulation to them also. I know you are so proud of them. So sorry that Maxine didn't get a metal.
    Thanks for sharing Suzan, and have a great week.
    Mary

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  14. We saw that run last night and were blown away! Wouldn't it have been fun if the third sister could have been up on the podium as well?

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  15. In France, we don't talk at all about what's happening in Quebec, so when I began talking about it with my pupils (my aim was to make them more tolerant by getting them to react), an other teacher told them what I said was wrong!

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  16. What a wonderful video. Their Mom was so smart to instill that in them-sisters for life! Congrats to the girls. They did a wonderful job. Politics are awful no matter WHERE you live! xo Diana

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  17. They are an amazing family!!!! What an example of sisterly love, parental dedication (can you imagine what it took for those parents to have three Olympic athletes!!! and Canadian pride! They were so eloquent in the interview. And did you see the snowboarder who won bronze (Mark McMorris) - a fine example of youth of today. I never feel more Canadian than during the Olympics!! And that's from a girl who was born in England.

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  18. Great Video! And congrats to the sisters! I'm usually rooting for Canada...after I root for the USA. Canada has some dynamic figure skaters too! ;)

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  19. Go Canada Go! We should all be so proud!!!!

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  20. I saw this yesterday and was SOOO proud of this sisters. How amazing for their family and for Canada!!

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  21. Awwww! I know this topic is near and dear to you Suzan...even if it's exhausting. I totally fell asleep during the Olympics last night.

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  22. This is a great post and video and Congrats to those talented girls!! As you may know we have tons of garbage going on in the US right now. By the end of the term of this President we are afraid America won't be America anymore. Very scary and very, very sad. I empathize sweet friend!!

    Cynthia

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  23. Those girls were so amazing! I loved watching them and the look on Justine's face when it became obvious she had won the gold was just priceless! So So cool and I was so excited for them.

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  24. Awesome Suzan! It is heartbreaking to see the hatred based crap that is going on in politics these days. All the while just crapping all over the countries, states, etc they are elected to lead.

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  25. I watched the video and they are adorable and oh so proud! I can appreciate the political strife going on since we have it here in the US. With our current president we are losing our country and I am very afraid for what lies ahead or if we will ever be the same. My Mom was French Canadian, her last name was Druillard, and it was changed to Doll when they came to America. Keep up chin up!

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  26. I tried to watch the video, but it says it's been removed. Congrats on the Canadian wins! All politics basically make me ill.

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Due to a large amount of spam ( that I'm tired of going back to posts and deleting ) I'll be using comment moderation from now on !!!
Can I beat these spammers at their own game? Probably not - but I'm going
to try my damnedest !!!
xoxo