Sometimes life has a way of grabbing your attention, particularly when you face death. I've lived long enough to have been there. Sometimes we cheat it for a short while but let me tell you about my close brush with death.
It would have been a rather embarrassing way to go. I was closing up the cottage for the winter, trying to get everything done before the shorter days of October put an end to my work. I grabbed a quick bite on the run from the few remains left in the fridge and before I knew it, I was unable to breathe.
This hadn't happened before so I wasn't quite sure how to respond. Perhaps my mind works in rather strange ways, which is entirely possible, but the first thing I thought was that I didn't want to leave a mess for the kids. Then I looked out the window and while this wasn't quite the scene I saw that day, it's similar enough. I said to myself if this is the last thing I see, well, it's beautiful.
Perception is a funny thing. Sometimes time seems to crawl by at a snail's pace like a child's last school day before summer holidays. Other times it seems to pass in the blink of an eye; your child's childhood. That day, my entire life did not so much pass before my eyes. Rather what seemed to happen is that images flashed by; a slide show of the important emotional moments of my life. In my mind's eye, there were my sweet sons as babies and the faces of good friends. There were special moments and even the good acquaintances I had met along the way. As time stood still, I thought what an amazing, fortunate life I've had.
I managed to perform the Heimlich Maneuver and so here I am for another day. I am pretty sure that my perception of time was warped because of the effects of adrenaline but still that moment lingers with me. For what came to me then were the people in my life, the loving relationships, and a serenity from having tried to make the world a better place. I mean how many people have the privilege of working to improve the lives of children?
Once something like this happens, priorities may change. I care even less about niceties, money and status and care far more about people. While I was somewhat fearless before, now I've become incorrigible. Not in the sense of taking stupid physical risks rather it's that I simply don't care what polite society thinks of me. I more frequently speak my mind and make far too many bad puns!
Speaking truth to power is a Quaker expression that captures an alternative response to violence. I like its sentiment except that in my experience, I believe it should be used sparingly and to defend others. I'm not about to speak truth to an insignificant slight nor to use it as an excuse to pass judgement on Justin's undershirt, no matter how tempting that might be.
Speaking truth is powerful when it is expressed from the heart with courage and conviction. I think of Elijah Harper who stopped the Meech Lake Accord with the power of an eagle feather and his simple refusal to vote yes. Without a doubt, there were powerful figures trying to convince Harper to vote otherwise and it took courage to stand up as he did. Or I think of the speech of Dr. Martin Luther King "I have a Dream". This video still gives me goosebumps even after many viewings.
Forgive this small contribution of speaking truth to power. To my political colleagues in various levels of government, some of you have largely overblown the fiscal crisis here in Canada. You have misled people by repeatedly overstating the depth of the crisis, in using scare tactics and intimidation, by falsely blaming others, or in using the results a particular study that is now discredited. You have championed measures that trampled democratic rights and scapegoated welfare recipients and teachers. You have overlooked those who avoided taxes by moving their money offshore. You have left many pensioners in the lurch by ignoring the destruction of Canadian enterprises such as Nortel. And you have created a "Shock Doctrine" crisis to alter Canada's political landscape. Canada is such an amazing country in large measure because of it's sense of justice and democracy. Shame on you!
In the last couple of weeks, teachers and education workers have been torn on how to vote but let me say this particularly because few have. You have been courageous in your stand for democratic rights. Yes, it has been painful at times for everyone involved but the alternatives were either 12 years of labour unrest as in B.C. or the loss of labour rights as in Wisconsin. You have dodged both these bullets and achieved an important victory for future teachers, for other workers in the public sector, and for many Canadians. Thank you.
The struggle for freedom is ongoing. Sometimes it's waged internally against preconceived notions and sometimes it's against external forces. We are fortunate to live in Canada and usually the worst that happens here for speaking up is that you embarrass yourself. As I would tell my teenage sons -- believe me, I have done this repeatedly and yet miraculously here I am to tell the tale.
The good news is that you too can help save the life of a child. Sometimes it's a simple matter of having a little courage and trusting yourself. By speaking up for those who can't, you become your own best self. Perhaps this can be best summed up in a broader sense through the powerful words of Dr. Martin Luther King, "Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty we are free at last."
The views expressed in this blog are my personal views only. I'm taking a vacation for a few weeks and won't be posting during this time. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog. I have always appreciated your comments and learned so much in the process.
There is one question I would like to take a moment to answer. I have never been a teacher nor have I ever worked for a school. There are no teachers in my family. Rather I have been touched by the humanity of many educators and school staff. This doesn't mean that I don't get angry with the machinations of the system. For the most part the individual teachers and education workers I've met, and they have been many over 18 years, have been caring and kind. The next time you're tempted to give a teacher a piece of your mind, remember that she is likely also caught by the institutional rules.
I would also like to thank teachers and the Ottawa Carleton Elementary Teachers' Federation for your support. I was very touched to receive your Honourary Life Membership award and I cherish it.
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