The second part of our trip up North entailed having a Mother/Daughter Weekend (minus one of our sisters unfortunately) in Canada spending it at the Evergreen Gate Bed & Breakfast in Selkirk, Manitoba. While crossing the border into Canada we had run into an "issue" with my mom's passport. Canada almost didn't let her in their country because of insufficient documentation. And, even though they eventually did allow her to cross the border into Canada, the concern at that point was whether the U.S. would allow her back into the country given the issue we had already encountered.
Fortunately, we were granted permission to cross the border; and once inside, we stopped at the duty-free shop to exchange our currency. Aside from the Canadian pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters we received, we were also given "loonies" ($1 coins) and "toonies" ($2 coins) in exchange for our American dollars.
The drive from the Canadian border to where we were staying was scenic at first but the magnificent blue sky with the farm-like landscape slowly transformed into the outskirts of the city and then to the Downtown district of Manitoba. There was one section that we drove through that was characterized as "Skidrow" with the stereotypical seedy hotels, pawn shops, homeless people walking the streets and people gathered around the Salvation Army building waiting for the doors to open. It was driving through that section of town that we were able to see the side of Canada one typically does not see in the brightly colored tourist brochures one peruses before going on vacation. Once we reached our destination and settled in for the weekend, our time in Canada was spent enjoying the scenery, going shopping, taking a paddlewheel ride up the Red River and just spending time together.
Good times were had in Canada but the days went quickly and it was time to pack up and head back to the states. With new lifelong memories to take back with us and a sense of apprehension about getting back into the U.S. we also had pockets full of Canadian currency that we had acquired. Therese had come up with a brilliant idea as we began our travel back to the border. Why not combine all of the loonies and toonies and other Canadian currency leftover from my mom and sisters into one lump sum and purchase as many McDonald sandwiches as we could and hand them out to the homeless in the Skidrow district as we made our way back to the border? What a truly magnificent idea! Showing compassion and caring for our fellow human beings by giving the gift of food to those in need.
As we drove the streets searching for those who appeared to be down on their luck, my sisters, Therese and Patty, would jump out and hand an unsuspecting person a hamburger or chicken sandwich. Some who were approached were hesitant or suspicious but once they saw there was "no catch" their hesitation turned into gratitude. One particular gentleman who was by himself leaning against a building had a look of loneliness and despair. Therese walked up to him, offered him a sandwich and a smile beamed on his face as he lit up.
There was also a father with two small children on one of the side streets near the Salvation Army who appeared to be busy fixing a problem with a tire. Were they living out of this vehicle? We weren't sure and didn't ask. Showing respect and allowing one to keep their dignity in tact is what is important. He was approached by Therese and Patty and given three sandwiches. The children were so excited to receive McDonald hamburgers.
With one sandwich remaining, my mom made mention of a man she saw a couple of blocks back who appeared to have difficulty making his way up the street. His clothing was soiled and tattered and he walked with a distinct limp. As we turned around and found him, he was attempting to cross Main Street. I was able to pull over on the other side of the street and let Patty get out to take him a sandwich. As she approached him, the man was in the process of lifting up the lid of a trash can to see what he might find inside. At that point, Patty handed the man the last sandwich we had purchased and the lid to the trash can was closed. To think, his next meal may have been someone's discarded leftovers in the garbage. Sadly, this is the reality not only in Canada but in every country on a daily basis.
It didn't take much … just an idea and turning that idea into action. Although the gift was nothing more than a sandwich we were able to feed much more than just their hunger. Just as "The Prayer of St. Francis" expresses, where there was despair, we wanted to give hope. Where there was darkness, we wanted to give light. And, where there was sadness, we wanted to give joy.
We eventually made our way back to the border with a profound feeling of satisfaction and joy knowing that we had made a difference in someone's life that day. And, although we were unsure as to whether we were going to make it back to the states without incident, it was with the grace of God watching over us and surprisingly my Jayhawks that we were able to cross back over to the United States. (Side note: the border guard was an alum from North Dakota State University (NDSU) who happened to be the team that beat the KU Jayhawk's football team while we were vacationing in Canada. Needless to say, he was in a giving mood as well that day.)
We eventually made our way back to the border with a profound feeling of satisfaction and joy knowing that we had made a difference in someone's life that day. And, although we were unsure as to whether we were going to make it back to the states without incident, it was with the grace of God watching over us and surprisingly my Jayhawks that we were able to cross back over to the United States. (Side note: the border guard was an alum from North Dakota State University (NDSU) who happened to be the team that beat the KU Jayhawk's football team while we were vacationing in Canada. Needless to say, he was in a giving mood as well that day.)
