Starting over from scratch. Fleeing a war. Hoping for a better life in Canada. This is the reality for many refugee families.
Life will be better. Soon. But when you’ve left everything behind and arrive in a new country—with no familiar landmarks, not yet speaking the language—meeting families in the neighborhood and getting to know your neighbors can make all the difference.
We’ve all heard about refugees. In our day-to-day lives, we don’t think about them much. Then one day, a refugee family arrives in our community. The children are enrolled in the local school. My daughters haven’t seen them, and neither have your children. Why? The children didn’t go to school because they don’t have winter boots or warm clothes.
And then, suddenly, it all becomes real. People—like you, like me—families, children—have fled war and left everything behind in search of a better life. They’re happy. Smiling. Lively and genuinely kind. And yet, they don’t have enough to eat. They have the bare minimum: mattresses, a table, chairs. Nothing extra. No family. No friends. No local support network. No money. Despite all that, they’re smiling. Are they just naturally happy, or am I complaining over nothing? Being far from my family and friends, without any sense of home, without money, without a support network, and without a coffee maker—wouldn’t that dampen my happiness?
I slept poorly thinking about them. I suddenly realize just how lucky I am. I promise not to complain anymore when I go camping while dreaming of a Disney cruise. I’m also telling my kids that you can’t complain on a full stomach. We’re going to help them. The neighbors are going to pitch in. That’s also the strength of a local support network.
At the park, at school, at daycare, I encourage you to smile at that mom, that dad, and those children who chose Quebec for a better life. If you know of resources in your neighborhood, share them with them (community organizations, food banks, French language classes, etc.). The neighbors pitched in, and within a weekend, the whole family was clothed and ready to face the winter. Neighbors also donated blankets, a microwave, dishes, and a coffee maker.
True happiness lies right there, in helping one another and sharing. Much more so than in the shoe aisle.