Two Chapters, One Turtle Island: A Eulogy to Canada

As my second chapter in Canada ends, I reflect on the two distinct periods of my life that have been deeply intertwined with this remarkable nation. My first journey to Canada as an eight-year-old child ignited a passion for the country that has never waned. My second chapter as an adult deepened my connection to Canada, reinforcing its place as a land of immense beauty, diversity, and opportunity.

Chapter 1: An Eight-year-olds's Glimpse of Canada

My first encounter with Canada was a whirlwind of experiences that left an indelible mark on my young mind. I vividly recall the awe-inspiring sight of the frozen Saint Lawerence, deep snow, the skaters on the canal and the piercing blue of the big azure sky.

Chapter 2: Returning to a Beloved Land

Over three decades later, the pull of Canada drew me back, and I embarked on a second chapter in this magnificent country. Stepping off the plane, I was greeted by the familiar warmth of the Canadians. The iconic maple leaves, their vibrant reds and oranges painting the landscape, symbolized the warmth and resilience of the Canadian spirit. While in this return, I was working and not a wide-eyed, youngest-focused but a grown-up ready to face the politics of the Canadian office culture. To my surprise, the office setup within Toronto is very different from that of the US; it reflected the nature of the Canadians: team-based, purpose-driven, diverse in thought, and inclusive with a careful eye to risk. This culture took some time to adapt to and, once understood, made my time in Canada enjoyable as a work environment. At times, it was frustrating to aim for zero risk; the dialogues on balance challenged our approaches to innovation.

Turtle Island: A Sacred Land

During my second time in Canada, I learnt more about the Indigenous peoples, who called Canada Turtle Island home and instilled a deep respect for its natural beauty and the interconnectedness of all living things. Their wisdom has guided my understanding of Canada's true spirit, rooted in harmony, resilience, and compassion. This foundation makes the Canadian culture a fantastic place to live and work.

As I bid farewell to Canada for the second time, my heart overflowed with gratitude for this nation's profound impact on my life. Canada, you have been my teacher, friend, and source of inspiration. You have taught me new ways to embrace diversity, to be purposeful, and to believe in the power of team.

I thank all who have helped me during my Canadian adventure and look forward to visiting in the future to create new chapters. Special thanks go out to the Roman Chwyl family for those Sunday nights together and the wine tasting, Ty Panagoplos for the opportunity to come back to Canada and Brad Harrison Richard Linton Subodh Gusain Renate Cunneen Laurie Mckenzie Alex K. Marc Van Gerven Priyajit (Pri) Mohanty Susan (Kim) Scruton Imran Mughal, CD Eva Konstantellos , Rochelle Coleman Claude Richard Tena Dardic Dmitri Kachournikov Jeff Martin Tomi Poutanen Michael Briggs Upal Hossain Aleksandra Kordic Jas Dhindsa and many others for bringing the smiles and laughter to my time in Toronto.