On the Fourth of July, What I Miss Most About the U.S.

On July 1st I celebrated my third Canada Day since emigrating from the United States. I have lived here now for just a tad over two years. I have been a permanent resident for almost a year. When my husband and I talk about the possibility of living overseas for his job, Canada is our designated home-base, and I know it's very unlikely I will ever live permanently in the States again.

On Canada Day, the New York Times ran an op-ed of short essays by its Canadian staff asking them to write about what they missed most about Canada. It's hard for Americans to imagine anyone living in their country missing the inferior lifestyles they've left behind, and it's harder still for Americans to wrap their minds around a Canadian who wouldn't jump at the opportunity to come south. But regardless of a person's adult preferences, and whatever life choices that landed them permanently in another country, there will always be a thing or two about "home" that calls one back a bit - if only out of nostalgia.

I came to Canada by land with twenty years worth of life weeded down to fit in a U-Haul trailer and my not quite five year old daughter in the back seat. My soon to be husband, a Canadian, had the better job and the paid for house, and the move was ultimately a no-brainer. And like most Americans, I figured the differences between the States and Canada were slight and the only thing we'd need to adjust to was the distance between us and family and friends.

For the most part, I was very wrong. Canadians are not Americans. Canada is more than slightly different. I was reminded often that I was living in a foreign country and it was difficult for  a while but eventually I came to love being here more than I had ever loved Iowa. 

I don't miss much. Being able to access iTunes or Comedy Central,Target, the convenience of having the doctor call in a refill without an office visit and central air are all nice when you can get them but not essential in any meaningful way. Still there are a few things that I can say I truly miss

I miss understanding politics well enough to write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper. In my old life as a high school English teacher, I wrote many a letter and it was a thrill to see them published, but it was the fact that I knew what was going on to the point where I could coherently add to the debate that was most exciting. Participation in the system is not possible for me here because as a permanent resident I am barred from voting - which is as it should be - but not having that stake makes wading through the intricacies of politics less pressing for me.

I miss the warmer climate. Iowa is likely not anyone's idea of a garden spot, but its winters are far shorter and it's summer infinitely warmer and longer than my life on the prairies of Alberta, and if there is a warm spot to Canada, I haven't discovered it yet and no one I know has ever lived there.

I miss having access to goods and services at my finger tips. Shelves were stocked. Items rarely needed to be ordered and when they did, it was days as opposed to weeks. Anything and everything was a trip to the mall away. America is a consumer paradise, a smorgasbord of variety. A person could feel like Templeton the morning after Charlotte lets him loose on the mid-way if he or she was inclined to excess, but sometimes it would be nice to find what I need when I need it.

We took my mother and aunt to the Canada Day parade this week. We roamed the park after with everyone else in our little town of less than 17,000. The city worker selling tickets to the inflatables recognized me from yoga and a woman in line recommended that I head over to the food concession's for a free sample of barbecued pork. It's a far cry from a wee Iowa farm town and its four-wheeler parade, but despite my even more wee list of laments, I wouldn't trade it because it's my home.

This is an original 50 Something Moms post by Ann Bibby of anniegirl1138.