We Assume

We take a lot of things for granted in our everyday lives. We know the sun will rise in the morning and that's when most of us start our days. We can count on the newspaper to be dropped on our doorstep at dawn and that our morning coffee is only a plug-in away.

We know the T.V. will splay it's colors and news when turned on and our rooms will be brightly lit at the touch of a switch. We know there is food in the fridge and cupboards when we want to eat.

We also know that nearby grocery stores stock all and anything we might want and that the local gas station will readily supply any gas we need for the cars we drive. We assume all drivers and pedestrians will obey the red, yellow, and green traffic lights.

We're fairly certain we can venture out into the world and return safely to our homes when we're finished our travels.

But in war torn countries none of these things, other than sunrise, can be taken for granted. We are a fortunate people and we certainly do live in the land of milk and honey. We've been smart enough to lead civilized lives for the most part and it's difficult for us to imagine any other way.

In countries where bombings and killings are a common occurrence because of religious, ethnic, or political differences everyday life has been chaotic and dangerous for thousands of years. It is their norm and none of the so-called civilized countries will ever change them because the change has to come from within.

Canada and the U.S. are true melting pots of many religions and ethnic origins so maybe we're the promised land, the place where we learn to understand and accept our differences. It's important to celebrate our different cultures but it's also important to blend them. That's the way we become "one" people who can live together in peace. That's my hope for the future.