7.07.2008

Memory

Those who know me know that there is a part of me that will always be Canadian. I'm the person who has played obscure Canadian patriotic music on the organ every July 4th weekend for as long as I can remember [and was only called on it once in probably 25 years]. I get lonely on Canadian Thanksgiving, knowing my family is celebrating and no one here even knows it's a holiday there. On July 1 I get homesick for Canada Day celebrations.

So on July 1, Mark and I were eating dinner together and he [who usually is on top of these Canadian-isms he is married to] hadn't commented on the date. So, to help him along, I casually asked "Is there anything you wanted to say to me today?" Clearly I was hoping for "Happy Canada Day!"

Nope. Nothing. He got this panicked look on his face and I could see him thumbing through his mental calendar: "It's not our anniversary. I think that's in December! Is it Mother's Day? No, that's over with. What about her birthday? I'm sure that's in August sometime." He couldn't come up with anything.

So I helped him along and said, "Maybe you wanted to say 'Happy Canada Day' to me?" And he immediately lit up and agreed that he did want to say that [and then he said it!]. He also added that he hadn't written the date on anything at work that day and if he had, it would have alerted him. And to be fair, I wasn't wearing my Canada t-shirt either.

To give him credit, he is pretty good about remembering stuff. But the above cartoon made me smile today.

15 comments:

Sandy said...

Happy (belated) Canada Day to you! So glad that you still honor your holidays from your birth place. To many times they are forgotten.

Emily John said...

Happy(belated)Canada Day!!

Seth, Sarah and the kids said...

hahaa. that is funny. mark is such a great guy....i love catching them forgetting something though...it does make me laugh! :)

Unknown said...

hee hee, LOVE it! dad is funny.

Jori said...

Darn! I wish I would have wished you Happy Canada Day! Next year for sure!:)

hoLLy said...

poor men-they just don't seem to have as good of a memory as women do:) and we love to get onto them about it!(well, i do anyways:)

Marilee said...

I guess if you can wear a Canada t-shirt in the U.S. on Canada Day then I guess I can wear a 4th of July shirt in Canada on the 4th!

I will remember that for next year!

Ashley said...

i love how you play "obscure canadian patriotic music on the organ every july 4th." that is a hoot!

Mia said...

I didn't know there was obscure Canadian music ;) I love that you are my Canadian friend and that you still love it so. Just proof that there can be many places we call home.

. . . . . . . . . said...

You are too funny! That's a TON of dates to remember. Uncle Mark gets serious kuddos for being Canadian sensitive!

Natalie Scott said...

I will for sure remember to wish you a Happy Canada Day next year! I had no idea it was July 1st...we Americans are so ignorant!

Chris and Tara Mason said...

That is too funny! Markus - I love him!

Cammie said...

Well, Happy Canada Day to you...late!

Kristi said...

I love, love, love your Canadian pride. LOVE it. I'm serious. And your testimony on Sunday was so sweet and amazing.

Phogles said...

I just have to tell you: Since my Mark has Canadian citizenship, and his dad is Canadian, our little family always celebrates Canada Day by taking the kids to the nearest fireworks stand, giving them each a little $$$ and letting them pick out whatever fireworks they want. Then we go home, light them off, and eat ice cream. Mark's been trying to teach them, "O, Canada" too. So, you're not the only one in the family who marks the 1st of July...even if we do it in a shamelessly American way