Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul Read online

  What People Are Saying About

  Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul . . .

  “This book is full of heart-opening stories that truly capture the essence of what being Canadian is all about. They brought me to tears time and time again, providing me with new insights as to what it means to be Canadian. Definitely a book I want to share with my children. I loved these stories!”

  Barbara Underhill

  world champion figure skater, Canadian Olympian, TV

  Colour commentator, motivational speaker, mom

  “The soul is forever seeking expansion, fuller expression and positive reinforcement. This book delivers. You will enjoy every page. Pick any story and you’ll see. . . . It will make you feel better. I loved reading it.”

  Bob Proctor

  speaker, trainer and author of bestselling book,

  You Were Born Rich

  “How wonderful to have a book of stories like this to share with our young people as an inspiration to achieve their dreams—and live their lives as loving, compassionate beings. As you read these stories, share them with your kids, share them with your students, share them with your friends.”

  Donna Leonard

  chief commissioner,

  Girl Guides of Canada

  “The answer to ‘What makes a Canadian a Canadian?’ is finally clear. It’s in our stories. We now have something to pass on to our children and our children’s children and they to theirs. We can stand up and be proud of our accomplishments as Canadians. Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul gives us a legacy.”

  Deane Parkes

  writer, motivational trainer, speaker, mentor, businessman,

  and creator, National Post’s HealthVenture

  “Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul brings to life the work of Canadians in shaping our nation into one of community heroes. From East Coast to West Coast, to the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, their inspiring stories capture our unique culture, historical heritage and our love of the land. This is a must-read for every Canadian.”

  Ruth Ramsden-Wood

  president, United Way of Calgary and Area

  “My heart was touched and my soul was moved as I read the stories of some of our greatest Canadian heroes in their own words. But it’s the soulful and compassionate stories of the ordinary Canadians that weave the tapestry into a whole, providing a picture to the world of who we really are as a people. Read this book and celebrate what it is to be Canadian.”

  Kathy Ryndak

  psychotherapist and

  cofounder, Transformational Arts College

  “I’ve always suspected it, but never knew how much talent, courage and greatness we have in Canada until I read the wonderful stories in Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul. To finally have all these wonderful stories in one place will make this book one of our greatest literary legacies.”

  Lynrod Douglas

  publisher, Black Pages Canada

  “Thank you for putting all these amazing stories together so that others can be inspired by these remarkable Canadians! All of us will be encouraged by the talent, courage and genius we have in this great land and the stories in Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul are a perfect source! This book is destined to become a beacon in our magnificent heritage.”

  Frances Wright

  president and CEO, Famous 5 Foundation

  author, speaker, entrepreneur, proud Canadian

  “What makes a Canadian, Canadian? It’s our love of the land, our courtesy and kindness, our saying ‘I’m sorry’ even when it’s not our fault. It’s our love of the CBC and it’s our steadfast loyalty. It’s our stories and it’s our story. Read this book. It’ll nourish your Canadian soul.”

  Martin Rutte

  speaker, trainer, president, Livelihood Inc.

  “As a geologist, I’ve had the opportunity of knowing Canada and Canadians from Newfoundland to BC, and from Southern Ontario to the High Arctic. I read with great pride these wonderful stories that paint a remarkably accurate picture of our great nation, and offer the reader a rare glimpse into the very heart of Canada and its people.”

  Dr. Donald H. Gorman

  professor emeritus of geology,

  University of Toronto

  “Not everyone has a talent for music or art, but we each have the gift for story. And, as the words in this book so beautifully illustrate, our stories matter. They remind us of the many ways that the beauty of this land and the diversity of its people bring us home to ourselves and help us find our own place of the heart.”

  Michael Jones

  pianist, composer, recording artist, speaker and

  author, Creating an Imaginative Life

  “I enjoyed reading the diverse stories about my homeland, and this outpouring of simple humanity reminds me why I remain a Canadian citizen after many years of living away from home.”

  Wayne Patterson

  senior fellow, Howard University

  vice president, Liberal Party of Canada, 1980–1984

  “Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul is an enormously inspirational book that will remind Canadians everywhere of the very best within us.”

  Robin Sharma, LL.B., LL.M.

  author of the worldwide

  bestseller, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari,

  CEO, Sharma Leadership International

  CHICKEN SOUP

  FOR THE

  CANADIAN SOUL

  Stories to Inspire and Uplift

  the Hearts of Canadians

  Jack Canfield

  Mark Victor Hansen

  Janet Matthews

  Raymond Aaron

  Health Communications, Inc.

  Deerfield Beach, Florida

  www.hcibooks.com

  www.chickensoup.com

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Chicken soup for the Canadian soul : stories to inspire and uplift the hearts of Canadians / Janet Matthews . . . [et al.].

  p. cm.

  eISBN-13: 978-07573-9994-7

  eISBN-10: 0-7573-9994-0

  1. National characteristics, Canadian—Anecdotes. 2. Canada—Social life

  and customs—Anecdotes. 3. Social values—Canada—Anecdotes. 4. Conduct

  of life—Anecdotes. 5. Canada—History—Anecdotes. 6. Canada—Biography—

  Anecdotes. 7. National characteristics, Canadian—Literary collections. 8.

  Canada—Literary collections. I. Matthews, Janet, 1951–

  F1021.C47 2002

  971—dc21 2002068561

  ©2002 Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

  HCI, its Logos and Marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.

  Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.

  3201 S.W. 15th Street

  Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190

  R-11-06

  Cover design by Lisa Camp

  Inside formatting by Lawna Patterson Oldfield

  From our hearts to yours,

  we dedicate this book to all those Canadians

  who walked the endless forests and paddled the majestic

  rivers before the Europeans came; to those Canadians,

  our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents,

  who braved the storms and crossed the seas

  to find a better life in a free land;

  to those Canadians who chose this country,

  bringing cultures from other natio
ns, helping

  to weave our ever-evolving cultural mosaic;

  to all those Canadians, then and now,

  who by their choice to serve, in office or in uniform,

  protect and keep this land glorious and free.

  And for all those who love Canada,

  because in so doing they have built a nation

  that is more than worthy of the love

  that is in our hearts, and yours.

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Introduction

  Share with Us

  I Am a Canadian Former Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker

  1. ON BEING CANADIAN

  A Canadian’s Story Pat Fowler

  We Stand on Guard for Thee Penny Fedorczenko

  The Loonie That Turned to Gold Peter Jordan

  The Unity Rally—Canada’s Woodstock Mark Leiren-Young

  The Goal of the Century Paul Henderson

  To Russia with Love Ted Mahovlich

  Waiting in Line Katherine Cornell

  Meeting the Prime Minister Elisabeth Munsterhjelm

  The Autograph Tim O’Driscoll

  Hey, It’s Our National Anthem! Pamela Wallin

  I Am Canadian! Glen Hunt

  Canada Loves New York Senator Jerry S. Grafstein, Q.C.

  A Country Called Canada Gary Lautens

  2. LIVING YOUR DREAM

  Ryan’s Well of Life Susan Hreljac, as told to Darlene Montgomery

  Look at Me Now, Dad Faye Dance

  The Magic Skates Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini

  To The Top Canada! Chris Robertson

  Our Olympic Dream Penny and Vicky Vilagos

  3. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

  The True Story of Lake Ontario Marilyn Bell Di Lascio

  Women Are Persons! Frances Wright

  The Legacy of Terry Fox Leslie Scrivener

  One Person Can Make a Difference Bob Proctor

  Rise Again! Ariel Rogers

  Gift of Wings Carl Hiebert

  David’s Run Linda Chamberlayne

  The Making of a Miracle Alex Domokos

  Liberation Day Neil Simpson

  4. ON LOVE

  One True Love Crystal Wood

  Letters of Hope

  Shelley McEwan, as told to her by Gran Martha Lindsay

  That Sunday Afternoon Gregory Fouts

  My Dad and Little Joe Sigrun Goodman Zatorsky

  Big Red Linda Gabris

  Hopfstadt’s Cabin William P. Kinsella

  When Someone Believes in You Marc André Morel

  A Son’s Love J. P. Bailey

  Kids Can Free the Children Craig Kielburger

  5. ON KINDNESS

  Farewell to the Queen of Hearts Sally Armstrong

  Walls Mary Lee Moynan

  Loretta Manuel Erickson

  The Great One Lynn Johnston

  The Way Home Susan Owen

  The Seal Diane C. Nicholson

  Guests Who Dropped in from the Sky

  Paul Banks, editor, The Gander Beacon

  6. ON FAMILY

  The Legacy of Mary Maree Benoit

  Love Is a Two-Way Street Carol Sharpe

  New Kids on the Block Janet Matthews

  With a Little Help from Your Friends Lorrie Goldstein

  Four-Legged Guardian Angels Karin Bjerke-Lisle

  Christmas Lights Michael Hogan

  7. SURVIVING LOSS

  Ryan’s Hope Nancy Lee Doige

  The Red Sweater Stella Shepard

  Tommy’s Tangerine Tree Ruth Hilton Hatfield

  The Littlest Angel Brenda Mallory

  8. A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

  Motherly Advice Kurt Browning

  A Christmas to Remember Ruth Robins-Jeffery

  A Change of Heart George Mapson

  Monsieur Gaton Jayne Harvey

  Finding Your Own Medicine Kahlee Keane

  Three Words Jo-Ann Hartford Jaques

  The Orange Tabletop Bill Gorman

  Peacekeeper’s Coffee Doug Setter

  9. SPECIAL CONNECTIONS

  Granny’s Rosary Vince Fantauzzi

  When I Met My Hero! Lynn Johnston

  A Street Kid Named Mike Ernest Kowalchuk

  War, in Peace Vern Murphy

  The Other Language Jeanette Lynes

  10. THIS GREAT LAND

  Ogemah John J. Seagrave

  The McRae Lake Shrine Steve Magee

  Swamped by a Thunderbird Peter Elliott

  My Heart Soars Chief Dan George

  The Birth of Nunavut Speech given by The Right Honourable

  Roméo LeBlanc

  Up from the Farm Wanda James

  11. MAKING A DIFFERENCE

  Becoming the Man in Motion Rick Hansen

  An Unlikely Hero Mary Turner

  The Will to Survive Diane C. Nicholson

  Into the Night Gary Robert Walsh

  A Piece of It All Jann Arden

  A Holy Night to Remember Sharon Espeseth

  The Hero of Halifax Harbour Darlene Montgomery

  The Canadian Shepherds of Korenica Wayne Watson

  Thanks for Being Here Natalie MacMaster

  In Flanders Fields Colonel John McCrae

  O Canada!

  More Chicken Soup?

  In the Spirit of Giving

  Who Is Jack Canfield?

  Who Is Mark Victor Hansen?

  Who Is Janet Matthews?

  Who Is Raymond Aaron?

  Contributors

  Permissions

  Acknowledgments

  Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul has taken over three years to write, compile and edit. The project began as a challenge that soon grew into an all-consuming passion. Special acknowledgments are due for certain people whose contributions were central to the success of this book.

  Our families and friends, who shared with us the exciting times—and supported, inspired and encouraged us through the tough times. Without you, this book would simply not have been finished.

  Leslie Riskin, in Jack Canfield’s office, for her tremendous work in handling all the permissions. We appreciate all your hard work and expertise, as well as your friendly voice and your huge heart.

  Heather McNamara, for her meticulous and insightful editing and her amazing ability to always produce the final manuscript with perfection. You are awesome!

  D’ette Corona, for her dedicated help with assembling the manuscript, and for encouraging and guiding us through the last stages of the book. You are one awesome lady.

  Patty Aubery, for always being there in the crucial stages. We can’t say enough good things about you.

  Deborah Hatchell, who was so helpful in the early stages of this book, and Maria Nickless for her always creative marketing ideas and cheerful voice.

  Nancy Autio, Veronica Romero, Robin Yerian, Teresa Esparza, Vince Wong, Cindy Holland, Stephanie Thatcher, Amber Setrakian, Kathy Brennan-Thompson and Dana Drobny for your commitment, dedication and professionalism— and for making sure Jack’s office runs so smoothly.

  Patty Hansen and Dawn Henschall, for making sure all the legal t’s and i’s were crossed and dotted. We can’t thank you enough.

  Darlene Montgomery, our publicist, dear friend and all-around great assistant. In addition to soliciting stories and getting us radio and TV interviews, her persistent efforts in finding, writing and editing special stories were invaluable; we could not have completed this project without her. Thanks Dar!

  Raymond’s amazing staff for their tireless help and support of this project in so many ways: Liz Ventrella, Geoff Taylor, Wendy Kuchar, Sue Lacher, Sue Higgins, Patty Sibolibane, Chris Johnson, Donna Sylvestre and Jared Westover. From our hearts, we thank you.

  Peter du Chemin, who created our wonderful Web site, www.canadiansoul.com, and keeps it up to date. Thank you Peter—we love our flying maple leaves!

  Wanda James, whose research and writing was invaluable and Debbie Taylor, for her helpful research and energetic marketin
g efforts.

  Brad Gauvreau, for the beautiful photos.

  Darlene Herbert at the CBC, Trudy Van Buskirk, Dave Mitchell, Louise Larouche, Martin Herzog, Janine Violini, Lorraine Quartaro, Louise Gravelle, Mary Linstead and Hunter Fulghum for their contributions along the way.

  Barry Spilchuk, for your support in gathering stories in the early stages of the project, and Rebecca Kubica for sending us a story that became one of our favourites.